Welcome Spencer Dryden today

Please give a warm welcome to author Spencer Dryden who is sitting down to chat withme about their new book, The Substitute.

So tell us about your latest or upcoming release. What is this gem about?

"The Substitute" is another in my series of tradesmen tales. In this story, a union journeyman plumber risks his career by assuming a false identity to substitute for an injured buddy who owns a non-union plumbing business. "Gary's" day turns surreal when he arrives at the first appointment and discovers the client is expecting sex and not plumbing services.

How often does your muse distract you from day to day minutiae?

I live in the Frozen tundra of Minnesota. My muse resides at my adopted home of Summer Haven, Florida (USA). She doesn't come around much when I am here in the cold but fills my mind with stories when I'm walking the beach in Summer Haven.

If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be

I don't know if The Terminator is a paranormal creature but I'd like to be a killer cyborg, charged with hunting down and brutally dispatching bad guys in serious need of killing.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

I shovel snow. Actually all our snow fell out east this year. In real life I am a handyman for hire. My stories usually have confrontations with real life problems suitable for HGTV. I think by grounding my stories in the  reality of leaky faucets, it helps make the fantasy elements more believable.

Are any of your characters like you?

Yes, my main male characters tend to be like me, self effacing, witty, but sometimes clueless about the wiles of women. As a writer I think it's important to have characters who can reveal emotional truths. I'm not a good enough writer yet to create characters out of thin air and imbue them with traits I don't understand.

Do you have a favourite quote from any of your book(s)?

 I have used a line in several of my stories that comes from real life. Back in college (eons ago) a group of us guys played basketball on Friday nights, then went out for copious quantities of beer. Over beers, one of the guys had ants in his pants telling us about a girl he had just met who invited him for dinner on Saturday night. The last thing she said to him was "Rest up." Wow.

If a movie or TV production company chose to produce your books into a series of shows or movies, who would your ideal cast be?

For "The Substitute" my male character "Gary" could be Ben Affleck or Matt Damon. "Gary" meets two very different women in the story. The first is the curvaceous, lusty Katherine "Cat" Reynolds who I see as Eva Mendez. The second woman is very much the opposite, she is tall, blond, thin, reserved and very chilly at first, ideally played by Nicole Kidman.

If "The Substitute" is ever is made into a movie I want to be on the set. I love the characters all these fine actors have played, but I also have a thing for Eva Mendez.

The Substitute

Breathless Press

Contemporary Romance

A substitute plumber's world turns upside down when he discovers his buddy's business is providing more than plumbing services to an exclusive female clientele.

A journeyman plumber breaks union rules, risking the loss of his career, and assumes a false identity to substitute for an injured friend who owns a non-union plumbing shop. When "Gary" arrives on the job, he is stunned to discover that the client is expecting sex and not plumbing services. It's the beginning of a day of surprises.

Motivated by his obligation to a friend and seduced by the allure of the client, "Gary" has some of the best sex of his life. He is at peace until he overhears the client making an immediate referral to a friend. Torn between conscience and friendship, he accepts the referral.

His day turns again as Britta initially spurns his services, much to "Gary's" relief, then asks him to do some plumbing work. While he is working, Britta slowly drops her hostile manner, sharing more of her personal story. "Gary" finds himself longing for a deeper connection, but has to dispel Britta's feelings of inadequacy and deal with his hidden identity.

Teaser:

One minute I was getting ready to install a new faucet for this really hot divorcee. The next thing I knew, she was naked, splayed out on the massive onyx granite kitchen island of her fabulous McMansion. Her legs over my shoulders, my work pants on the floor, I'm banging her furiously. She was screaming and panting, heavy breasts flopping like luscious melons, her pussy pouring out love juice over my cock while she clutched the backs of her thighs. Her head thrashed in the pile of her frosted, layered mane of silver and black hair. She was so strong I thought she was going to lift my two-hundred-pound frame from the floor as her back arched in the agony of a hard orgasm.

WTF?

I was breaking all the rules that day, but the last one I ever expected to break was fucking a client on the clock. But technically, she wasn't my client.

My strange odyssey began when my plumbing trade school buddy, Steve, called me in desperation from the ER where he was being treated for a severely turned ankle.

"Dude, you gotta take this job for me today." His voice was full of mirth, making me suspect he was loaded with painkillers.

"Steve, you know I can't do that. I'm a union journeyman, and you're a non-union shop."

I couldn't work for one of my best friends, not within the rules the union had set for us. Rules that protected us from exploitation, but limited our choices.

"It's just one job, goddamnit. I don't have anyone else I can trust."

"Yeah, but that one job could cost me my career."

Buy Link

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=8&products_id=744&zenid=1af6788da73a71e1bc32fda5d7bc3afe

Author bio and links

Spencer Dryden is a new to writing fiction, but an old guy on the threshold of draining any reserves left in Medicare and Social Security. In real life he is a handyman, an at-home dad, inventor, and web videographer, living a quiet life in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, USA.

He earned an MBA from a prestigious Midwestern university but is so far behind on the career earnings scale of his peers that the university has offered to refund his tuition if he will return his diploma and disavow his affiliation, lest he continue to denigrate the school's impeccable brand.

He has a beautiful trophy wife ready to spend his royalties. Like all good romance writers, he has a cat but prefers to pet his wife.

This is his fourth work published by Breathless Press.

He can be reached at multiple locations:

Check out his website: http://www.fictionbyspencer.com/

He's on Google+ : https://plus.google.com/+SpencerDryden

Tweet Him at: @SpencerDryden

He is a regular contributor to the multiauthor blog, Oh Get A Grip: http://ohgetagrip.blogspot.com

And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008150288001

If you liked this book, please leave a review at Breathless Press or at Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomspencer_dryden

Talking with author Franny Armstrong

Welcome Breathless Press author Franny Armstrong today...

So tell us about your latest or upcoming release. What is this gem about?

In the Toxic Tango Troop series, I have Jinn & Toxic, and Minx Juliette, but soon will have a hot and steamy story, book three, Blaque Russian. The story continues with a sexy black man with Captain Tab McTavish's kidnapped sister, Tara. (from the Jinn & Toxic) She is a feisty female who gives the impression that she's delicate. That can prove to be a deadly mistake when she's crossed.

·        How often does your muse distract you from day to day minutiae?

My muses (two of them) keep me hopping night and day. I live in the world of the stories I write. Every day I'm on the computer for hours on end, creating challenges for the heroes/heroines, and putting up road blocks for the villains. I love to live in those places.

 If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be?

I write about psychics, and seeing as I am one, I love to embellish on their abilities, giving them unusual powers. It's fun to have them battle villains with their own gifts. If it had to be a creature, I think a Pegasus would be great!

What do you do when you’re not writing?

When I'm not writing, I'm promoting my books or editing them. There's never a dull moment in my life, but I do tend to watch TV in the evenings to calm the chatter in my mind. The characters tend to pull me back, sometimes keeping me awake all night long, writing scene after scene until they release me.

Are any of your characters like you?

I think there is a little bit of me in each of my characters. Even the villains have characteristics that I share. Not bad ones though. LOL. The heroines have my determination to protect those I love, and live challenges that I only dream of. I live through them vicariously.

Do you have a favorite quote from any of your book(s)?

Yes, lol. I do. This is from my favorite scene in Minx Juliette:

"Eat your food," he said, growling.

Julie gave a low, throaty laugh, and took another mouthful. His hand shook a bit, and he spilled some of the gravy on her chest. This time, she said,

"Would you care to lick it off?"

To her surprise, Lope leapt to his feet, banging his head on the ceiling. She snickered and then bit her lip to stop it.

"What's wrong?" she asked with an innocent look on her face.

"You obviously can feed yourself." He turned and climbed the stairs, leaving her.

Hey, nice ass.

Lope stopped in his tracks, his back to her. Her chest hurt like crazy, yet she laughed aloud. He heard my thoughts. She watched as he disappeared upstairs. Once he'd slammed the trap door shut, she lay down and closed her eyes, exhausted, the dinner forgotten.

If a movie or TV production company chose to produce your books into a series of shows or movies, who would your ideal cast be?

I love Sandra Bullock and Hugh Jackson. I think they'd make a perfect couple. They'd offer the danger and desire needed to be my characters. If you find a production company to make the movies, send them on over. HAHAHA

Minx Juliette by Franny Armstrong

Toxic Tango Troop Book 2

Breathless Press

Romantic Suspense, Paranormal elements

Shot and nearly drowned, psychic Sergeant Julie Dennison is saved by a handsome rebel leader who's searching for his kidnapped son. 

When Sergeant Julie Dennison is shot and nearly drowned, she's saved by a handsome Latino stranger who can't wait to get rid of her. Wolf is a leader of a group of rebels, working together to take down crooked cops in Mexico. He searches for his kidnapped son, and the man who killed his wife. The problem is that he doesn't want to give his heart away, and Julie refuses to fall in love. Together they conquer the rainforest on a search for the Toxic Tango Troop, and Julie's twin sister, Jinn.

Teaser:

Heat burned along Julie's side, and a hard lump pressed into her hip. One of her lovers, she couldn't remember who, must have fallen asleep after they'd had sex. That was one rule she refused to allow to be broken. At ten years old, she'd been separated from her family. She'd promised herself never to become attached to anyone, to protect her heart.

It hurt to stretch, but she wanted to, like a cat. As she opened her eyes to find darkness, Julie wondered where she was. Her bed-partner breathed deeply, and evenly on her neck, sending delicious shivers up her spine. His arm rested on her waist. When she moved, pain radiated from her chest, and reality came crashing back.

Jinn?

Julie, I...

The man beside her moved, lifting his head. He pressed his palm on her forehead, and sighed.

"Still have the fever. Damn."

"Lope?"

"Yes. Stay put. I'll get you something to drink. We have to cool you down, and get you well enough to move out of here."

"You seem to be in a real hurry to get rid of me."

"You are a danger to us all."

"Who?"

His expression shuttered suddenly, as though he'd given something away. "I'll be right back."

He lit some candles and left the bed, barely able to stand erect due to the low ceiling. Julie estimated he stood well over six-feet tall when not ducking, and his shoulders took up much of the space in the small room. His narrow, muscular waist drew her gaze, as did the bulge in his denims that pressed against her while he lay beside her. She bit back a grin when he adjusted his jeans and turned to leave. From the look on his face, he didn't appear to be thrilled with her effect on him.

A few moments later he came back, carrying a tray laden with a drink of juice, a bowl of stew, and some bread. He avoided her eyes and focused on feeding her, staring at her lips as they accepted the spoon. When he frowned, she smirked.

"What's so funny?"

"If I weren't weak as a kitten, I imagine you'd have other things on your mind than feeding me."

Startled, he looked at her this time. "Eat your food," he said, growling.

Julie gave a low, throaty laugh, and took another mouthful. His hand shook a bit, and he spilled some of the gravy on her chest. This time, she said, "Would you care to lick it off?"

To her surprise, Lope leapt to his feet, banging his head on the ceiling. She snickered and then bit her lip to stop it.

"What's wrong?" she asked with an innocent look on her face.

"You obviously can feed yourself." He turned and climbed the stairs, leaving her.

Hey, nice ass.

Lope stopped in his tracks, his back to her. Her chest hurt like crazy, yet she laughed aloud. He heard my thoughts. She watched as he disappeared upstairs. Once he'd slammed the trap door shut, she lay down and closed her eyes, exhausted, the dinner forgotten.

 Buy Link

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=741

Author Bio

Franny Armstrong is a mother of three and a grandmother of four. Her husband supports her imagination and has the patience of a saint. She’s been writing since she was a child, creating plays to act out in front of the neighborhood children. She charged them five cents admission to join her in the family garage for the play.

Since 2002, after a serious breakdown, Franny had to express herself on the computer since she couldn’t speak, everything coming out gibberish at that time. She’s slowly healed to the point that she can function fairly well. Writing was the best medicine for her and still is.

Franny loves to write about rainforests and Caribbean islands rather than about cities. Her characters are well rounded and share her wacky sense of humor.

Franny Armstrong

www.paranovelgirl.com

Love is to DIE for...

eMail: franny@paranovelgirl.com

TWEET - http://www.twitter.com/Franny_PNG

FACEBOOK - http://www.facebook.com/pages/franny.armstrong.author

LINKEDIN http://ca.linkedin.com/in/paranovelgirl/

BLOG - http://frannyarmstrong.wordpress.com/

BLOG - http://www.paranovelgirl.blogspot.com

PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/frannyarmstrong

WORDPRESS BLOG - http://frannyarmstrong.wordpress.com

Book Spotlight~Lovers of the Road by Nadine Sutton

Lovers of the Road by Nadine Sutton
Breathless Press
Contemporary MM

A road trip to Nashville with a young Irish immigrant has Garth Clayton questioning everything he's ever believed about himself. Will Garth embrace his true self or lose the only man he's loved? 

Garth Clayton is a guy who doesn't have any complaints about his life. He's a successful musician and songwriter. He lives very well in a New York bachelor pad with a steady girlfriend, which isn't too shabby for an introverted kid from the Bible belt. When he offers a ride to an Irish immigrant, he never expects his life to turn upside down.

Connor Adams is the opposite of Garth. He's wild, foolish, and not about to apologize for who he is. He likes to live on the edge. When he is nearly arrested for a fight in a gay bar, Garth is shocked to learn of Connor's sexual preference. Unable to hide the truth any longer, Garth confesses the deep secret he's kept buried—he's attracted to men.

Garth and Connor start a secret love affair, but when Connor asks Garth to be truthful about their relationship with his parents, he can’t bring himself to do it. Unwilling to be his "dirty little secret" any longer, Connor ends things. Will Garth stop hiding his true self, or will he lose the man he loves?

Teaser:

Cursing, Garth pulled on his jeans and a sweater, and hurried down to the lobby. The officer waiting for him was a young chubby faced man, not much older than Connor.

"Mr Clayton, this young man has been thrown out of a bar for using obscene language and—crazy behaviour. I found him out on the street cursing and yelling. Making a noise an' being a pain. I don't want to go through all the paperwork of booking him."  

Garth's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He couldn't believe that even Connor could get into this sort of trouble so quickly. His heart beat faster as he looked at the young police officer.

"If you can promise that you and he will be out of the town by 8 a.m. then I'll forget what happened. It wasn't much and we're a small police department here."

The cop lowered his voice and leaned closer to Garth. "Look, Mr Clayton, it was a gay bar. My boss doesn't like faggots, but there are a couple of bars where they go and mostly they don't do any harm to anyone. Hardly ever any trouble there. I don't want any bother so, you just get him out of town."

"Where is he?" Garth grumbled.

He could only thank his lucky stars that this nice young guy had been the one to find Connor. Some other policemen might have investigated further.

"He's out in my car, sir. He told me that he was traveling with you and that you write songs that are on the T.V. I'd heard your name, and my wife likes you, so I thought I'd let this one go. But you have to promise you'll get out of town."

"Officer, I'd go right now if it weren't so damn late. That boy is—" he trailed off. It might not be a good idea to criticize Connor.

Buy Link

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=1&products_id=742&zenid=0e30a63109c6dcc33bbbdef0c471a3e5

Author Bio:

 I come from Ireland, but I have lived in many different places. I’ve spent many years in Ireland, and shorter times living in Europe. For a long time now, I have lived in London, with my partner, but I don’t see it as my permanent home. However, I enjoy the artistic side of London life. I love to walk around and see buildings that have been here for centuries and to look around historical monuments, particularly the Royal Palaces. I enjoy the theater though it does not seem to me as good as it used to be! I used to go very often, now it’s more like an occasional treat. But I really love music, particularly country, folk, “light” opera, some Rock, and the music of the great musicals; I take advantage of being in London to attend concerts.

My hobbies are sedate ones. I like to knit and used to make a lot of woollies when I lived in cold climates. I also try my hand at things like flower arranging, jewellery making and painting. I used to swim and ride horses, and to play a little tennis, but I don’t get time for that nowadays. I love music and enjoy very much listening to music and going to concerts and musicals, and I take singing lessons. Naturally I love to read and always have a couple of books or my Kindle with me. I enjoy walking and an occasional game of golf and I love board games. I also enjoy travelling, whether by train, boat or air. I particularly love America, and hope to visit there again very soon.

My initial degree was in history. I loved English but I wanted to do something more “relevant” and I dabbled in politics. When I left college, I worked in many different fields, changing jobs quite often. Some of my jobs were to do with books; I was a library officer and worked in the office of a bookshop. I’ve also worked in the legal field, in education, in social work support, and in businesses. At present, I work in a public service and health field. I’ve worked in social work, helping with volunteer organizations. I used to work with a hostel for homeless people and with visiting the elderly and people in need.

My great hobby is reading, which naturally led me to want to write. I started writing when I was a kid, with absolutely no success. I wrote very serious short stories, usually with a feminist slant! I tried serious historical fiction. Then I gave it up for some years as I needed to earn a living and didn’t have the time. I enjoy my work, but I love to write. It is a very important creative outlet for me, as my job, while it’s useful in promoting public health and very worthwhile, helping the public, doesn’t have any creative side.

I have also done light journalistic work, on women’s issues, but about 10 years ago I began to explore creative writing, and to try to write fiction again. I took a few classes, and then I started to write light historical fiction, and joined writers’ groups. Now I’ve chosen to write modern fiction and my new story The Lovers of the Road is the result. I am looking forward to its being published and to finding, I hope, some new fans.

Book Spotlight~ The Defiant Bride by Leslie Hachtel

The Defiant Bride by Leslie Hachtel
Breathless Press
Available in e-book & print
Historical Romance

Dariana refuses to be forced into marriage, even if it has been ordered by the king, so she fakes her own death only to be discovered and tricked into marriage with William, a man she may not be able to forgive. 

Furious at being used as a political pawn, the Lady Dariana defies King Henry VII by faking her own death to avoid marrying a man she has never met. Praying the king will not retaliate against her father, she seeks refuge in the forest and learns to fend for herself. When William, a warrior knight, is felled by an arrow, she saves his life and arranges his rescue before fleeing to avoid discovery.

William awakes from his injury to be told he imagined the beautiful woman in the forest. Besotted and determined to make her his own, he hunts her down and tricks her into marrying him, intent on turning her defiance into love. But even as he begins to succeed, their enemies join forces to end the marriage—even if it means that Dariana must die.

When Dariana is abducted, William must track her down to fight for her life and their happiness. And, Dariana, once the most defiant of brides, must channel her own strength of will into survival, both for herself—and for the child she now carries.

Teaser:

Dariana gazed into the pool of water; the vibrant rays of sun twisted this way and that, dancing on the crystal surface. Her thoughts were mingled, flashes of memory, visions. A part of her took great pride in her survival in so different an existence, but what had she gained? She had lived through cold nights and painful loneliness, but to what end? She was unmarried, yes, and not exiled to a land where even the language was foreign, but she was thought dead.

Perhaps she could do something else, something that would give her life meaning after all. Her thoughts continued to wander and she dipped her hand into the cool water and watched as the ripples further disturbed the shafts of light in their attempts to float on the surface.

All at once, a reflection joined her own. She was jolted at the image, then chided herself for allowing her imagination to conjure it. She stared at the shifting shape and reached out her hand, wishing so dearly it would be real. The water stilled and the reflection behind her grew more clear. Could it be?

Her instinct was to throw herself into the warmth and protection of his arms, but she feared she might be hurling herself into nothing more substantial than the cold water, so she hesitated, waiting for the apparition to dissolve.

"Did you miss me?" William questioned softly. "For I have thought of nothing but you since the day you came to my aid."

She stood and turned, staring at the man who faced her, a smile tilting his chiseled mouth upward. She shook her head, then met the dark gray eyes with her own. He reached out his hand and feathered his knuckles along her cheek. She pulled back as if burned, then touched the place where his hand had been, still disbelieving. He had come back. But at what price? Her secret was uncovered and now her father would pay.

She jumped up and ran. The land was familiar to her and offered her the advantage. She darted between trees and around rocks. Dariana raced until her lungs felt like they would burst, her body screaming from the exertion until she had no choice but to stop and catch her breath. She leaned over at the waist for a moment, inhaling. She lifted her head and he was there, in front of her. She screamed her frustration, but she was winded and no sound emerged. She spun, ready to fly again, but he grabbed her around the waist. She lost her balance and he twisted as they fell. She landed on top of him. The feel of his body was like a lightning bolt through her. Her senses reeled. Her breathing increased. She knew struggling would be futile, so she relaxed.

"I have come for you and I will not be denied," he stated, a man used to his orders being obeyed. He moved her to the side, rose, and held out his hand to assist her.

She ignored it and stood.

"I know who you are, my lady, and I will protect you. But I will not leave without you."

"My lord, I cannot go with you." She needed to find a way to dissuade him. "Please, I beg you. Go away."

"William. My name is William and I cannot live another day, another moment, without you."

Buy Link - eBook

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=17&products_id=739&zenid=21d3607be2f7116132c6f6c040cfd6aa

Buy Link - Print

http://www.breathlesspress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22&products_id=740&zenid=21d3607be2f7116132c6f6c040cfd6aa

Author Bio and Links:

Leslie Hachtel was born in Ohio, raised in New York and has been a gypsy most of her adult life. Her various jobs, including licensed veterinary technician, caterer, horseback riding instructor for the disabled, and advertising media buyer have given her a wealth of experiences.

Her favorite stories as a child—and stretching into the adult years—were fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. It was the happily ever after that was so full of hope and inspiration. It was the love of those stories that led her to eventually want to write romances.

Of all of her jobs, it is writing that has consistently been her passion. That desire was fueled when she sold an episode of a TV show and had a screenplay optioned. Those successes led to her first published novel, Harriet, the story of a female serial killer. Although that was a satisfying piece, it was the lure of the romance that drew her back. So far, she has produced four novels in that genre. One of her historical novels, Captain’s Captive will soon be published by Black Opal Books. Her contemporary romance, Texas Summer is available on Amazon and through Secret Cravings Publishing. And now, of course, The Defiant Bride from Breathless Press.

Leslie lives in Memphis, Tennessee with a fabulously supportive engineer husband, a wonderful stepson, Matt and her writing buddy, Jakita, a terrier.

Welcome DK ffrench today

Please give a warm welcome to author DK ffrench who is dropping by today and chatting about their new release, L'Wren, Hawk and the Doves, available at Breathless Press.

Now how about a few questions....

·        So tell us about your latest or upcoming release. What is this gem about?

Well, in a nutshell, "L'Wren, Hawk and the Doves" is just your standard boy meets girl who both meet boy and girl who might be girl and boy while boys and girls fight it out over boys being boys and girls being girls thing.... in space.

L'Wren James and Saker Hawkings know that there's no room on a starship for a captain and first mate to indulge their passion during a dangerous peace mission.

The fragility of the cease-fire in the gender war on the divided planet Ourania threatens the stability of subspace shipping lanes, and the starship Sulaco's mission is to get the negotiating team there and deliver them safely back.

But when they take onboard Anchises and Cytheria, mysterious empath negotiators from the secretive world of Turaceona, they find their commitment to duty and to each other a struggle to maintain in the sexually heightened and emotionally charged atmosphere.

But Anchises's and Cytheria's struggle to keep their secret and the loss they cannot speak of hidden leaves one dangerously injured and the other missing in action. Only the truth about the man he is and the woman she is can save them.

Can Hawk and L'Wren face up to the challenges of duty, passion, and sexuality and still save not only their relationship but the peace process itself?

·        How often does your muse distract you from day to day minutiae?

Not that often... oh, hang on, I just have to tell my muse that the alien werewolf pilot marooned on Earth in rural England between the two world wars does not drink warm beer.

Sorry, you were asking about... now listen here, I've told you that the android studying the effects of earth romance literature has been upgraded to full artifical intelligence and would not do that...

Anyway I was just saying... yes, alright I'll note that down and then put it in chapter two after I've updated the description of the crashed ship...

So, no not at all really. I have my muse – and the annoying characters she keeps on inventing – totally under control... yes, alright then, he is left handed and does play the guitar. I've scribbled that on this beer mat here. Grrrrrr.....

·        If you could be any paranormal creature what would you be?

A vampire. Totally. But which type is the big question – which version of the myth?

I don’t get the Twilight vampires at all, and the Vampire Diaries vampires just annoy me ("Elena.... Damon... yes, Stefan... no, Elena, I can't.... but Damon, I... oh, Stefan...") but give me Angel and Buffy and let me be one of the undead and I'm good to go. In fact, I think I'd make a rather good Spike.

·        What do you do when you’re not writing?

Well, there's this day job thing that gets in the way, but apart from that I play guitar and ukulele, sing (sort of) and write songs... if that doesn't count as writing?  I have a You Tube channel with songs on. I like making trailers for books – mine and other authors – too.

·        Are any of your characters like you?

Hmmm... I think they're all facets of people I know tinged with aspects of my own hopes, fears, loves and hates. So while I'd argue that no character is like any one person I know, or me, they are versions of parts of everyone I know, especially me.

Occasionally a person will inspire me to write a character, but pretty soon the character becomes his/her own person. In fact, that's something that I've realised is how you know you actually are a writer – that moment when your character starts to do things you had no idea they were going to do.

·        Do you have a favorite quote from any of your book(s)?

Cytheria, one of the 'Doves' in an intimate moment with L'Wren and has some advice for her that I think applies to all of us -

"You are who you are, and you are not less nor more than you should ever be. Be true to that," she says.

·        If a movie or TV production company chose to produce your books into a series of shows or movies, who would your ideal cast be?

L'Wren is petite and feminine – so I'm thinking the actress who was brilliant recently in Ex Machina, Alicia Vikander. She'd look great green and with feathers instead of hair.

My Hawk is your standard star fleet issue starship captain – hunky but not overly. Probably a half way house between Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston.

My Doves... well, mysterious, but sexy, enigmatic – imagine a slightly androgynous couple based on a version of Jeri Ryan as 7 of 9 in Star Trek:Voyager. I'm thinking Jennifer Lawrence could pull off the female Dove, Cytheria and Jared Leto as Anchises, the male Dove.

As for some of the Ouranians (the planet divided by a gender war).... Tilda Swinton, Helen Mirren spring to mind, plus Russel Crowe and a younger rising male star to be Srey Chanda... I need some input on this one. Any ideas? Please...

L'Wren, Hawk and the Doves

Breathless Press

Futuristic

Available at Publisher

Captain Saker Hawkings and First Mate L'Wren James agree to keep the mission and passion separate, but with two beautiful alien empaths onboard, it's not only planetary peace negotiations that are in danger of breaking down. 

L'Wren James and Saker Hawkings know that there's no room on a starship for a captain and first mate to indulge their passion during a dangerous peace mission. The fragility of the cease-fire in the gender war on the divided planet Ourania threatens the stability of subspace shipping lanes, and the starship Sulaco's mission is to get the negotiating team there and deliver them safely back.

When they take onboard Anchises and Cytheria, mysterious empath negotiators from the secretive world of Turaceona, they find their commitment to duty and to each other a struggle to maintain in the sexually heightened and emotionally charged atmosphere.

But Anchises's and Cytheria's struggle to keep their secret and the loss they cannot speak of hidden leaves one dangerously injured and the other missing in action. Only the truth about the man he is and the woman she is can save them.

Can Hawk and L'Wren face up to the challenges of duty, passion, and sexuality and still save not only their relationship but the peace process itself?

Teaser:

The silence of the inner tent greeted her ears as her eyes grew accustomed to the subdued lighting, again from candles and lamps but in here even softer. The air was suffused with a heady mix of fragrances from discrete oil burners—jasmine, an undertone of a muskier, more sensual smell, akin to sandalwood, and a hint of being in a deep forest, of leaves and mosses.

"Cytheria of Turacoena, welcome. I am Sarkare Khanome." From the shadows, a woman, not so tall as the guards but matching Cytheria in height, emerged. Her silver-white hair flowed free over her shoulders. Her eyes were a striking blue, as bright as a sunlit, clear summer sky. She was older than the guards, but her body was young and fit with lean, taut muscles. Only the lines around her eyes spoke of anything other than youth and power. Her long, softly flowing robe in a myriad shades of blue celebrated the same figures and scenes from the tunnel friezes and the outer tent. Her confidence hit Cytheria like a wave crashing on the shore but one that broke over her rather than crushing her. It was followed by a depth of compassion and caring that almost brought tears to Cytheria's eyes. There was fear as well, but not borne of doubt. A fear that was aware of itself and knew its boundaries.

Then it hit her—the intense depth and power of sexual allure and hunger that all but defeated Cytheria's self-control. Her pussy reacted suddenly, getting wet and even hotter. Her clit almost throbbed with an ache to be touched. Her breath was suddenly rapid and shallow. She'd learned that this might happen from the briefing on Halo Five and from her extensive reading of Ouranian culture. The Naranari bonded and shared sexually as a way of formalizing their status. She had to play this situation correctly or her credibility, and hence her bargaining position in the peace talks, would suffer, or worse, be blown out of the water altogether.

"I greet you, Sarkare Khanome, from my mother to your mother, sister to sister," she managed to get out.

Sarkare Khanome smiled and nodded. She walked around Cytheria and looked her up and down. She came back to face Cytheria and stroked her hands over her hair then held her chin in her long, slim fingers. Cytheria knew, like a physical presence, that this woman was sexually in charge and was used to being in total control of those around her.

I am Cytheria.

"And you are here to help us, sister, to aid our struggle against those...animals."

It wasn't a question. Cytheria's pussy was wet and clenching, her clit almost buzzing. If she could just touch it, she'd come in a second.

I am not you.

About the author:

Lost in space, yet still boldly going, D.K. ffrench returned from the forbidden planet a long, long time ago to live a quiet life in a small town called London.

The minimal research he'd done lead him to the conclusion that his identity would best be protected if he masqueraded as a business analyst by day and a writer and musician by night and at weekends.

Available for musical soirees at the drop of a hat, he writes steamy SF romances on a MacBook Air and plays a Gibson Les Paul too loudly while he waits for a set of replacement dilythium crystals for the broken warp core on his ship.