Are #Vampires More Than Just a #1NightStand ? @DecadentPub

Debbie: Morning all, today we are meeting with Catherine Peace.

LJ: (Shivers) What is the point of sitting here in this cold, eerie castle? I mean I know we’re supposed to be meeting Catherine Peace, but she’ll probably never show up.

Debbie: Why not?

LJ: Because some vampire had her for dinner. Duh!

Debbie: Oh for the love of…She’s friends with the vampires.

LJ: I’m telling you, she’s not coming. Here, I got you this stuff. (hands Deb a bag)

Debbie: A cross and…what is this? A vial of Holy water?

LJ: Well, we don’t want to end up being dessert, do we? You’re welcome. And hey, at least I know you’re okay, too…I mean, you did go after that hooded dude. What happened anyway?

Debbie: If you’d bothered to stick around, you’d know. Look, there’s Catherine now.

LJ: She’s alive? Wait, why don’t you show her your new cross…you know, to get her reaction to it?

Debbie: OMG! She’s not a vampire!

 

 

DEBBIE: Welcome to Garland & Gould, Catherine! We’re so glad you dropped by!

LJ: Yes, welcome!

CATHERINE: Thanks! I’m totally thrilled to be here!

LJ: Oops! (accidentally on purpose tosses a vial of water on Catherine)

DEBBIE: What are you doing? (Turns to Catherine) I’m so sorry, she’s a bit of a klutz.

LJ: Yeah, sorry, Catherine. (nudges, Deb) Not sure that proved anything. The guy on the corner who sold it to me looked shady. I’ll find another way to make sure we’re safe. Shhh….

DEBBIE: Stop it!

LJ: So, Catherine…did you just get back from the dentist? Your teeth are sooo white, and um, pointy.

DEBBIE: Pay no attention to LJ, she’s had way to much coffee today. So Catherine, What inspired you to become an author?

CATHERINE: It’s kind of a funny story (okay not really; I’m very boring). I read all the time as a kid, but I didn’t get the writing bug until our 4^th grade portfolios came around and we had to write a short story. After that, I was hooked on writing. As I grew older and started taking solace in these fantastic fictional worlds populated by people I could identify with better than those in my own life, I realized that I wanted to be able to give back.

Also, I didn’t know authors don’t make a lot and I wanted to make a million bucks so I could write in my pjs all day. Still trying to get to that point. So please buy my book?

DEBBIE: Wow! 4^th grade. That’s way sooner than I ever knew.

LJ: Hmm…writing in your pjs all day. Where is your favorite place to write, in a dark room perhaps?

DEBBIE: (kicks LJ) Uh, yes. Where are you most productive?

CATHERINE: Pretty much wherever I can. I write a lot on my couch because I’m not cool enough to have a desk—treadmill or otherwise.

DEBBIE: LOL, yeah I saw Jessica Subject’s treadmill desk. I’m afraid I’m not coordinated enough for something like that.

LJ: Cool idea though. So, tell us a little about This Time Next Year. What inspired you to write this story of love, fear, and guilt? Maybe something you’d like to share?

CATHERINE: I really wanted to write for Decadent’s 1Night Stand line, and my go-to is always vampires. And the dramatic. At one time I wanted to be an actress. Also, I watched a lot of soap operas. Don’t judge me.

DEBBIE: Hmmmm. (kicks LJ again) She wanted to be an actress. Seeee, not so different from you.

LJ: Sure she is...she doesn't have a bruised shin! Sheesh. We’ll see. I mean, the book she wrote is about vampires. Maybe she knows stuff firsthand??

DEBBIE: Really? Cuz we write about demons and witches and we know that stuff first hand, right??

LJ: We deal with paranormal stuff all the time….

DEBBIE: When???

LJ: That hooded dude has been chasing us for months! Just last interview you went running off after him in nothing but your jeans and bra! If that’s not paranormal, I don’t know what is. How did that turn out by the way?

DEBBIE: He pointed his bony finger at me and started chasing me. I lost him, though.

LJ: Well, I’m just glad you got away okay! So, back to the story at hand. Vampires….

DEBBIE: Ooohhhh Vampires. Tell us about Kiernan. I’ll bet he is just dreamy.

CATHERINE: If only you could see inside my brain. He’s…full of hot. Y’know, for a vamp. He’s also incredibly sweet and kind-hearted, though he won’t hesitate to hurt someone who’s threatening someone he cares about.

DEBBIE: I don’t think I’d want to cross a Vampire, sweet or not.

LJ: If this story was made into a movie what actor would play him?

CATHERINE: Matt Bomer. Mostly because Matt Bomer needs to do everything. Including me.

*Ahem* Did I say that out loud?

LJ: I don’t know. I’m still thinking bout Matt Bomer. Ohhh…yeah.

DEBBIE: Who’s Matt Bomer?

LJ:  He’s a hottie on White Collar. Catherine, give us three words that describe him—Kiernan, not Matt Bomer (I can think of my own words for him)

CATHERINE: Sexy, loyal, eager-to-please (see? With the hyphens that’s totally one word)

DEBBIE: Hahaha, so it is!

LJ: So, let’s get to the root of your secre— um, story. If he feels guilty about what happened when Moira was little, does that mean he is a reluctant Vamp? Does he like being a Vampire?

CATHERINE: He likes some aspects of being a vampire, most notably the strength that comes along with it (there’s actually a whole big thing about that in the book), but on the whole, he’s not a fan. Of all the things he misses, he misses the sun the most. That whole bursting into flame thing isn’t on his agenda these days,

LJ: Yeah, I can see how that would suck. What about you, Catherine? You’re looking pretty pale there. Do you avoid the sun, too?

DEBBIE: (clears throat) Excuse us a moment, LJ and I have, uh, to get some coffee. Be right back. (grabs LJ’s arm and drags her out of the room.) What the hell are you doing?

LJ: What? I’m just interviewing Catherine.

DEBBIE: No you’re grilling her like she’s a vampire. She’s human! Get over it.

LJ: How do you know? A lot of vampires look human. Well, except for the ones that sparkle anyway.

DEBBIE: Oh enough already. Focus on the book and the writing. Come on.

LJ: Hey, Catherine. Sorry, Deb had some personal issues she needed to discuss. So like I said, Deb, just tell him next time you'll only do it with him if you get to wear your high heels. He'll be putty in your hands. (turns to Catherine) There, I think I got her straightened out.

 

DEBBIE: Wait a sec. What are you talking about?

 

LJ: Ballroom dancing. What did you think I was talking about?

 

DEBBIE: Ballroom dancing....

 

LJ: Anyway, Catherine…tell us, what was the first thing Kiernan noticed about the adult Moira?

CATHERINE: Her hair, actually. She has crazy, curly red hair.

DEBBIE: Watch out for those red heads. I hear they are a bit, shall we say, off?

LJ: I would’ve said brilliant, wonderful, and memorable. Each to his own, I suppose. Catherine, tell us more about Moira. What does she look like? What are her desires?

CATHERINE: She’s a hottie. And a ginger, so be careful; she could eat your soul. Moira’s biggest desire is to feel safe and secure. Since the attack, she’s never experienced that. Also, she needs. To. Get. Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaid, which is why her best friend signed her up for 1Night Stand in the first place.

LJ: I sent Debbie to Madame Eve. Wasn’t’ easy because she thought it was all just stories. But now she knows it’s real. Well, just look. She met and married a fabulous guy!! Look at that smile on her face!

DEBBIE: Yes I did! I’m very happy! But I’m not sure Madame Eve had anything to do with that.

LJ: Suuure she did. Romance, magic, happily ever after…it’s all there! J Catherine, what are three words to describe her—Moira, not Debbie or Madame Eve. (I’ve come up with my own words for Debbie)

CATHERINE: Driven, headstrong, intelligent

LJ: I said Moira. And there were supposed to be three words.

DEBBIE: She did, and there were three words.

LJ: Really? All I heard was “headstrong”.

DEBBIE: What are you saying?

LJ: If the shoe fits….

DEBBIE: Grrrr. To the moon, Alice!

LJ: Um, it’s LJ… So Catherine, what is Moira’s favorite quality about Kiernan?

CATHERINE: His loyalty. It’s not something she’s had a lot of experience with, aside from with her BFF.

DEBBIE: Hmmmm

LJ: What? I don’t know if I’m your BFF or not (though I think I would’ve earned that title by now), but I am loyal to you. J Okay, let’s give our readers a taste. What are the first seven lines of This Time Next Year? Yep, just seven!

CATHERINE: Moira tried not to scream.

....But as usual, her voice cut through the otherwise silent house. Embarrassed and fighting

tears, she leaned back into the comfort of her pillows. She hated waking Tandy, but it just

seemed so . . . real. Shivering, she pulled her favorite blanket up to her neck—the one she’d kept

since that horrible night—as though the thin, tattered fabric would shield her from the fangs she

dreamed about every night, and waited for her best friend to knock on the door. Three, two . . .

....Two quick raps on the door signaled Tandy.

DEBBIE: Spookay.

LJ: Definitely grabs you and drags you right in!

DEBBIE: Ever eaten a Twinkie?

CATHERINE: Twinkies are full of awesome.

LJ: So, what the heck does that have to do with vampires and scary dreams?

DEBBIE: Not a thing, but I hear Vampires don’t like Twinkies.

LJ: Seriously? Where did you hear that?

DEBBIE: Can’t reveal my sources.

 

Quickies:

Lobster or Steak - Steak

Milkshake or Cone – Peanut butter milkshake

Waterside or Mountains – Even though I live in the mountains, I’m going waterside.

Green or Yellow – Green

Dress and heels or jeans and bare feet – Haha bare feet! Mountains, remember? Down here we don’t wear shoes.

Eyes or the smile – Eyes have it.

Horse or Llama – Horse! They don’t try to eat you. As often.

 

Final Question:

You’re an ace spaceship fighter pilot…however, today isn’t your lucky day. The Droid Nation just sucked your ship via tractor-beam into the bowels of their Mastership. You’re stripped, sanitized (damn, that’s cold sanitizer spray!), and dropped into a holding cell. On the floor you find an exercise bra and a thong. Oh, no! Are these the Droids version 69.69? You shiver and pray you’re wrong.

Without warning, the room you’re in shifts. Your stomach has that “freefall” sensation and you realize the whole cell is moving. Where are they taking you in your little box? Will they turn you into some type of sex slave to serve the Nation or maybe brainwash you into betraying the Commonwealth Galactic Union by assassinating Viceroy Willu Pheel-mee-hup? Okay, so the assassination is one of the top three on your Bucket List—he’s a schmuck for ditching you at the Royal Intergalactic Dance Marathon, leaving you under a spotlight on the dance floor. Alone. And totally embarrassed. When that Smurfendorf ran up on stage to offer to be your partner, you pulled your laser pistol and nearly blew off his…er, head. Yeah, close enough. After all, Smurfendorfs weren’t nicknamed “Mr. Handsy” for no reason—they’ve got eight arms. By gosh, how many fingers is that with six on each hand? Hmmm….

Your cell slams down and you tumble to the floor. “Hey! Where’d you get your crane license, WalMarticus?”

“The prisoner is here for Droid Nation entertainment,” announces a metallic voice. “Video feed will be available on Gelatinus Cube for all druids who wish to enjoy the systematic dismemberment of a human. Thank you and have a nice day.”

            You gulp. “Holy bagels and cheese. Do they mean me?”

            “Yes,” the metallic voice snaps.

There’s sharp clank and the four walls around you lift upward, leaving you standing on a platform in a spherical metal arena. In a spotlight. Great! A trip down memory lane. You ease over to the edge of the platform and look down. Below there’s water and some freaky looking reptile creature. Lots of teeth. And something about it looks familiar…reminds you of Smurendorf. Must be all those tentacles. You spin around and spot two other platforms. One holds another horrible abomination of reptilian eyes and sharp teeth. The other holds… A backpack?

“Good evening, Droid Nation,” the metallic announcer screeches. “And welcome to the 700^th Bi-Lunar Survivor Games. Tonight we have Dinocroc versus Sharktopus vying for a tasty Human treat. Let the Games begin and may the PowerSource be forever in your favor.”

“What?” You shake your fist at the hovering videofeed zipping around you. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. I’m making my goal to destroy the PowerSource number one on my Bucket List.” With a deep-seated will to live, you step back and take a running leap to the other platform. Ripping open the backpack you find nail clippers, a package of dehydrated sea monkeys, and a tube of half a dozen double stuff Oreos. How are you going to survive this contest?

CATHERINE: I use the nail clips to open the package of dehydrated sea monkeys and pour them into the water. As they come to life, I name myself their queen and they are forced to bend to my every whim. With my army of sea monkeys, I take out Sharktopus first, because thanks to all those Syfy channel movies, I know that Sharktopi (?) are deathly afraid of sea monkeys. That leaves me to deal with Dinocroc.

I grab the pack of Double Stuf Oreos and eat several out of sheer panic. Face covered in cookie crumbs and armed with the nail clippers, I approach Dinocroc, totally ready to pull some Crocodile Dundee stunts. Dinocroc and I eyeball each other like in those kung-fu films, complete with close-ups of our intense stares. The crowd around us goes wild while Sharktopus flails in the water, cries drowned out by the crowd’s cheers and the angry war cries of the sea monkeys. Who knew they came with spears?

Dinocroc rushes me, but I see that he has something stuck in his paw…thing… and remembering the story of the lion with the thorn in its paw, I tell him to slow his roll and then roll over. He does neither because he’s a lizard and all lizards want to do is eat/kill/eat some more. So I put him into a headlock, thinking that if I can get him worn down enough to get the thing out of his paw, he’ll love me forever. Unfortunately, I can’t find his neck. But he’s also sniffing out the Oreos. Fantastic! I let him gorge on Oreos, even though that’s probably the only thing I’ll have to eat since I’m stuck in a place populated by crazy robot ancient Roman things, and while he’s distracted, I pull the thing out of his paw. He roars, but then he and I have that moment where things are cool between us. And then we unleash holy hell on Droid Nation. I name my Dinocroc Mr. Fuzzy Boots, but he hates it, so I call him Soul Eater Steel Hide to his face, but in my heart he’s still my Mr. Fuzzy Boots.

 

LJ: OMG! That is AWESOME! You so survived that!

DEBBIE: Wonderful!!

LJ: Of course, now I want Oreos.

DEBBIE: Oh, that’s odd.

LJ: Thanks for sharing with us today! And, girl, you need to get out in the sun more! Just sayin’.

DEBBIE: Yes!! Thank you Catherine.

 

 

Debbie: (turns to LJ) OMG!!!! Time to go. You are terrible today!

LJ: What? She was in that arena, stuffing her face with Oreos while wrestling Dinocroc. Here I am with my coffee. What is so odd about my wanting a snack?

Debbie: Nothing, nothing at all.

LJ: Well, Oreos and coffee are smashing together. I’ll get you a bottle of water and….??

Debbie: Cheeseburger. Smashing? Are we suddenly across the pond?

LJ: No, that was literal. You smash up the Oreos and stir them in a little coffee…oh, never mind. But a cheeseburger does sound good. Bet the vampires in here like them still on the hoof!

Debbie: Okay, lets go!

 

This Time Next Year

By Catherine Peace

 

Blurb:

....Vampire Kiernan Shaw has never forgotten the night twenty years ago when he’d been forced to stand by while another vampire killed a six-year-old girl’s parents in front of her. He’s spent the better part of the last two decades watching over her, protecting her and hoping for an opportunity to make amends one day.

....Ever since surviving the vampire attack that killed her parents, Moira Curran has dealt with the resulting nightmares and abandonment issues the only way she could—by throwing herself into her biochemistry career, preferring a life of a hermit in her lab to facing the reality of her lonely life.
....Madame Eve brings them back together for one fateful night. An immediate bond of sizzling chemistry and respect forms, but can it heal her fears and his guilt?

Genre: Contemporary, paranormal, erotic romance, urban fantasy, vampires

Heat level: 3
Word count: 13k
Cover art by Tibbs Designs

BUY LINK

EXCERPT:

....She was the girl, his girl, not some random hookup he could use and toss aside. When she pulled away, he couldn’t speak, couldn’t react; his lips tingling from her heat. For a moment, he’d known completion.
....“What’s your name?” she asked.
....He thought back to Madame Eve’s email. If she trusts you, she will tell you her name. He understood the power of names, and so did Madame Eve. Something insignificant to a mortal meant everything to a vampire, in whose world names were both salvation and control. Remind a vampire of his humanity, or steal it away by forcing him to do something horrific, like watching a little girl’s parents be eviscerated right in front of her.
....“Kiernan Shaw.” Swallowing hard, he found his way back onto the coffee table. “And yours?”
....Would she tell him her name? Would she allow him that kind of power?
....She took a deep breath, as though considering the same questions. “Moira Curran.”
....He rolled the name on his tongue and loved the way it felt. “Beautiful.” He reached to stroke her cheek, but she flinched. “Moira, I won’t hurt you. I could never hurt you.”
....“I’m sorry,” she muttered. “Old habits, I guess.”
....He nodded, unable to speak for a moment. The cloying lilac scent of her fear almost strangled him. “Why did you ask me to stay?”
....“I don’t know.”
....Neither did he, but he wouldn’t leave until she asked him to.
....“I don’t want to be alone, Kiernan. Isn’t that pathetic?”
....You’ve never been alone. Not really.
....He warmed at the sound of his name on her lips. “Not in the slightest.” His mouth watered at the thought of kissing her, exploring her, making his name come out of that gorgeous mouth again and again. He tamped down his desire. Nothing good would happen if he moved too fast. Willem had all but guaranteed him a life alone. Like he approached a scared animal, he moved next to her on the couch. She uncoiled, but didn’t relax. “Talk, Moira. Please.”
....The silence hurt his ears as much as any scream.
....She shook her head. “It’s too hard.” Tears spilled but she didn’t move to wipe them away.
....Time to be bold, I guess. He brushed a hand against her cheek again. Instead of flinching, she eased into his touch. “I want to lessen your hurt, however I can,” he said. “Will you let me?”
 

Author Bio:

Catherine Peace has been telling stories for as long as she could remember. She often blames two things for her forays into speculative fiction—Syfy (when it was SciFi) channel Sundays with her dad and The Island of Dr. Moreau by HG Wells. She graduated in 2008 from Northern Kentucky University with a degree in English and is still chasing the dream of being super rich and famous, mostly so she can sit around in her PJs all day and write stories. When not being a slave to the people in her head, she’s a slave to two adorable dogs.

Blog: Going from Nobody to Somebody

Blog: The Pen Punks

Reviewer for Indie Books R Us

Jessica Subject talks about Sci-Fi Romance #SFR #eroticromance @jsubject

Debbie: Howdy all! Today we are down under the ground to talk to Jessica Subject about her latest release in her Underground Series. (turns to LJ) You’d think they’d do something about all the worms around here. And the lighting really sucks.

LJ: It does. And the coffee tastes like dirt. (pulls out a thermos)

Debbie: What’s that?

LJ: Um, coffee from home. Got fresh from my Keurig before I left. (waves at readers) Hey, Keurig fans! You guys know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout.

Debbie: I don’t even know what to say about that.

LJ: Hey, there she is!

LJ: (waves) Hey, Jessica!

DEBBIE: Hi, Jessica!

LJ: So glad you’ve come back again, Jessica! Love your Underground Series…and well, all your stories! So, let’s get to know Jessica Subject, the author…. Are you a pantser or a plotter?

JESSICA: I’m a hybrid. A bit of both. Though, I seem to be plotting more and more.

LJ: Ooo! Us, too! We knock around a lot of ideas then end up using them all! We need an outline to work everything in.

DEBBIE: Yeah, and what we don’t use always gets a story of their own.

LJ: (hangs head) I know. The list is long. (looks at Jess) Where do your story ideas come from?

JESSICA: From every aspect of life. Sometimes a dream, a conversation with someone, a television show, news story… And occasionally, ideas just pop into my head out of nowhere. The Underground series was based on a story I wrote for my high school science fiction English class.

DEBBIE: Good Lord, I don’t even remember high school!

LJ: Hmm…where do our ideas come from, Deb?

DEBBIE: Flashbacks?

LJ: What? Wait, is there something in that water you’re drinking? You’re trippin’, aren’t you?

DEBBIE: Noooooooooooo. Just plain old water here.

LJ: Hmm…protesting a bit much there. So, Jess, why SFR?

JESSICA: I’ve always enjoyed science fiction and wondered about life on other planets. It just seemed to fit. And the romance comes from my need to see everyone happy and getting along.

DEBBIE: Describe the place where you write.

LJ: (elbows, Deb) Good gosh, woman! First you nose around Becca Dale’s house. Now you’re asking Jess for details?? I’m telling ya, you’re gonna get labeled a stalker.

DEBBIE: Wouldn’t be the worst thing I’ve been called. Besides it’s a public service I’m providing. Readers want to know all this stuff ya know.

JESSICA: I usually write on the loveseat in the living room, in my AirChair outside, or in the vehicle while traveling long distances. I write wherever I can. With young kids around, I’ve had to. When I first started writing, I used to sit on the floor of my son’s bedroom while he had tummy time, and later started crawling around. Once he began to walk, I had to be more flexible.

DEBBIE: I’ve heard yoga comes in handy for that.

LJ: HAHAHA I don’t think she means yoga… Oh, never mind. Tell us a little about your home life, Jessica. Family? Pets? Hobbies?

JESSICA: I live with my husband and two kids. We have a rabbit and are looking at getting a dog. Not a puppy, though. When I’m not writing and promoting, I like to read and also go hiking. Now that my daughter knows how to ride her bike, we go for family bicycle rides, too.

DEBBIE: Wow, we have tons in common! I like to read and go hiking, too. It ends there though. You can keep the bike rides, lol.

LJ: I love biking. Especially mountain biking. Tons of fun!

DEBBIE: Figures!

LJ: (snort) Jess, when did you start writing and why?

JESSICA: When I was on maternity leave with my son, my daughter was learning how to read. She’d come home with books from school and get so frustrated. Though, if the book was about something she enjoyed, she would actually try to read it. So, I wrote a book for her about one of her stuffed animals to encourage her to keep reading. It worked, as she now reads above grade level. And after that, I kept writing, but focused on books meant for adults rather than children.

DEBBIE: Wow! That’s awesome that you were able to help her that way. And, great for us too that you focused on adult stories, lol.

LJ: Very cool!

DEBBIE: What was the one thing you learned as an author that you would share with aspiring authors?

JESSICA: The one thing I learned is that the first draft is NEVER perfect. It can always use revisions and edits to make it better. I was lucky enough to find a great critique group and critique partners to show me how to make my stories better.

LJ: Critique partners are important. They can give a lot of insight on things you as an author never see because you’re too close to your own writing. Course Deb’s all about critting. I can never see the error of my own ways, but others (i.e. Deb) are helpful and always point them out for me.

DEBBIE: Hey! You stole that from me.

LJ: HAHAHAHA Maybe. (turns to Jessica) So, here we are underground, in this strange and amazing place you created. Tell us about Never Gonna Desert You.

JESSICA: Never Gonna Desert You is the second story in The Underground series. It is filled with deception and revelations that are surprising to all those involved. It is also the story of Melina and Brook, and they both must prove how far they will go to be together. Here’s the blurb:

Determined to find and bring back her girlfriend, Brook enlists in the next mission to the foreign planet, Airondelle. But the deception at Planet Core continues, and Brook doesn't realize the depth of her father's involvement until he orders her terminated. Struggling to stay alive, she quickly learns nothing is as she believed. 

Will she ever find Melina? Or will Brook be stuck light years from home, alone, and with a fierce predator hunting her down?

DEBBIE: Ohhhhh, sounds exciting.

LJ: I read the first book, Never Gonna Let You Go, and it was awesome. This one sounds like a must read to me!

DEBBIE: I might even have to cross that line into Sci-Fi!

LJ: Oh, well there you go, Jess! You’ve converted Debbie. Go you! And since she’s interested in SFR (at last), what inspired you to write this series?

JESSICA: I was looking through my school memories book, and found the intro to a science fiction story that I wrote in high school. I thought I’d continue the story. Though, it turned out much different than my original idea.

LJ: Yeah, I wrote a full length novel based on a short story that I have in an anthology. You’d never know the two were related. LOL It’s strange how things work that way sometimes.

DEBBIE: It’s strange the way your mind works sometimes.

LJ: Gotta keep you guessing, girly. J (turns to Jessica) Tell us about Brook.

JESSICA: Brook is the daughter of Benson Malock, the president of Planet Core. She is a biologist at the corporation and is involved in creating hybrids and cloning plants and animals. Though she had bad luck with relationships, she finally found love and happiness with Melina. Though, they must keep their relationship hidden.

LJ: Oh, the plot thickens! Brook’s daddy is the president of the evil Planet Core! Love it! LOL

DEBBIE: Hah! Awesome twist!

LJ: It is! Let’s dig deeper. Describe Brook in three words.

JESSICA: Dedicated, Curvy, Loving

LJ: Sounds like a nice heroine.

DEBBIE: Me to a T!

LJ: Hmm…okay, close enough, I guess. What is Brook’s biggest fear?

JESSICA: Never seeing Melina again.

DEBBIE: Bet she doesn’t even think about the danger she is putting herself in to find her.

LJ: She probably doesn’t. Aww. Sad. My hubby was overseas during skirmishes over there, and I worried I’d never see him again.

DEBBIE: Yup! Very familiar with that feeling and my daughter when she was in Iraq and Afghanistan.

LJ: It’s tough, and I like how you’ve worked in an aspect of life that a lot of people deal with every day.

DEBBIE: When Brook was a kid, what did she want to be when she grew up?

JESSICA: A mother. Just like her mother.

DEBBIE: Nice!

LJ: What is her hobby or what does she do in her spare time?

JESSICA: With Melina always gone, she dedicates herself to her job, not giving herself any spare time. Though if Melina she would spend time with her, visiting the last remaining green spaces in the city.

LJ: Wow, just to go to a park and see grass. We all seem to take that for granted. That the grass will just always be there. But I can see how eventually it might become scarce.

DEBBIE: Not to jump on any crates here and start preaching, but if we humans don’t smarten the hell up, that’s exactly where we are headed.

LJ: Yep. And I think sometimes SF/Futuristic/Alternate Reality/Dystopian authors paint that picture so we here in the present can get a clue. LOL

DEBBIE: Tell us about Melina.

JESSICA: Melina is a bit of a free spirit, or as much as she can be in the future world she lives in. She started out as a sanitation worker for Planet Core, but is now training to lead a mission to the foreign planet, Airondelle.

DEBBIE: I’m a free spirit.

LJ: What, you think that qualifies you to lead a mission to a foreign planet? Cause if so, there must be something in that water you’re drinking.

DEBBIE: All I said was I was a free spirit. I said nothing about leading a mission to a foreign planet, but I could if I wanted to. I navigate conversations with you daily don’t I?

LJ: Of course you could! (arches brow at Deb) I have no doubt whatsoever. And I know I’m not the easiest person to follow in conversations, so I’d like to make that up to you with this gift. (holds up garment) Let me just help you put this on. (puts shirt on Deb) Oh, yeah. You look great in that red shirt. Now you’re totally ready to lead a mission to a foreign planet. You look great in red, by the way. (turns to Jessica) What is Melina’s biggest flaw?

JESSICA: She’s quick to make decisions, not thinking about the possible consequences.

LJ: Wow, I can so not relate to that. Nope. I’m steady, think my decisions through, coming up with a long list of possible outcomes. Now, Debbie? She’s the quick decider around here.

DEBBIE: Ohhhh she sh*ts you not!! Think and overthink and think again. I’m like “just lop their heads off already”

LJ: You’re so cut throat. LOL But we usually do hack ‘em up, don’t we?

DEBBIE:Is there any other way?

LJ: Uh, nope. Jess, what was the first thing Melina noticed about Brook?

JESSICA: The curve of her hips and ass.

LJ: Getting’ right to it. Yes, ma’am. J

DEBBIE: Is there any other way?

LJ: Uh, nope. (elbows Deb.) Your turn.

DEBBIE: What kind of life did Melina have growing up?

JESSICA: She was an orphan under Planet Core’s rule. Her parents inspired her free spirit, but Planet Core squashed that after killing her parents for trying to escape the city.

DEBBIE: Holy cow. That’s damn unfriendly.

LJ: Awww. Sad. Planet Core must be brought down! Melina needs revenge! Off with their heads! Wait…that’s your line, Deb.

DEBBIE: Yes it is!

LJ: Is there any other way? J

DEBBIE: You are a downright thief today!

LJ: Hey, we share one brain, remember? All thoughts are community property! So, Jess, tell us three things about Melina that aren’t mentioned in the book.

JESSICA: 1. She hates eating replicated food.

2. She keeps a picture of her parents in her nightstand drawer. And one of a cow. One day, she hopes to fulfill their dream by leaving the city and seeing a cow for herself.

3. Before Brook, she’d never met a woman she wanted to be with.

DEBBIE: Replicated food??? Sounds nasty.

LJ: How bad can it be? You’re drinking recycled potable water. That means you’re chugging down some stranger’s p—

DEBBIE: OMG! I’ll have you know I get my water directly from the rain clouds!

LJ: I’m sure you do. Okay, now that we know about our heroines, let’s entice our readers. What are the first seven lines of the story?

JESSICA: It’s time to take our relationship to the next level.

The text had Brook’s heart racing ninety miles a minute. Jason had to mean marriage, right? They’d been together for almost a year. Engagement is the obvious next step.

Sucking in a deep breath, Brook opened the bedroom door. What would she find on the other side? She stepped inside and stared.

LJ: Ooo! Nice! What the heck did she find??

DEBBIE: Wait? That answers absolutely none of my questions? And where did the dude come from?

LJ: Exactly!

 
Quickies:

Boxers or Briefs: boxer briefs

Ocean or Mountains: mountains

Broadway Play and midnight dinner or Movies and popcorn at home: My answer isn’t quick, so I’ll just say movies at the theatre.

Head or gut…JK. Always wanted to say that. I think it was a Bruce Willis movie.

Rag top Jeep or Lamborghini: rag top Jeep

Dog or Cat: Eek! Can I say both?

Blue ink or black ink: both

 

Final Question…..

....You were craving a seafood feast and snuck onto a fishing boat to snag some fresh yummies to cook up. Suddenly, a huge mother ship hovers over in the sky. Everyone around you vanishes. Yep, just poof –gone. And crap, the thieving aliens took all the seafood with them. What the--? Well, that sucks. You shake your fist at the spacecraft, secretly wondering why you were excluded from the party. “Hey, I make a mean crab shalaw,” you screech.
....Without a response, the craft shoots up into the sky. The sudden departure creates a vacuum and the boat tips. A huge wave splashes over the side, bogging the deck. Thank goodness you’re near a crab basket. You clutch the side while the boat rocks, but a wily crap gets frisky and pinches your fingers. You let go. The bastard shuffles toward the other hand. “Don’t you dare. I’ll fry you up and serve you with biscuits.”
....He doesn’t blink. (Wait, do crabs even have eyelids?) Needless to say, you slide across the deck, the ocean sucking you out to sea. Your feet slam into the railing. You sigh…then spot the huge cage skidding toward you—the bastard crab waving it’s pinchers in the air. Yeah, he needs to be dropped in some boiling water.
....Course, then you realize it’s YOU who’s in hot water. The boat has taken on too much water and is sinking. All you have is a crab basket, a buoy, and two tow lines. Oh, and a frisky crab who wants to go toe-to-toe…well, toe-to-claw. What do you do?

JESSICA: I’m doomed if I don’t get off the ship right away. I have to swim as far away as I can, and as fast as I can or risk being pulled down with the ship.

....Of course, I have my life jacket on as well, so I loop the buoy through my jacket with one of the tow lines and jump. As much as I want to eat that annoyingly delicious crab, I won’t have a chance if I go down with the boat.

....I fall under the water, trying not to swallow the briny water, and am pulled quickly back to the surface by the buoy and jacket. But, I’m too late. The force is sucking me toward the vortex. I’m swimming, breast stroke, front stroke, anything to get away. Nothing works. Closer and closer to the spinning center I’m dragged. The sound is deafening, the sucking, and something else, a rhythmic pulse. Water splashes in my face. I can’t see, but I don’t stop fighting, struggling to escape. My muscles ache. My chest is heavy as I fight for air. I can’t swim any longer. I’m ready to give up.

....A heavy force wrenches against my stomach. Plucked into the sky, I gasp, surprised by the sudden rush of air to my lungs. What’s happening?

....Something is holding me tight. I have little room to move, but I know I’m not in the ocean anymore. My legs are dangling and I don’t feel the resistance of the water.

....“Ma’am, are you okay?”

....Okay? I don’t think so. I’m imagining things. Some guy is talking to me. Am I dead?

....My body is twisted around. I feel like I’m falling. Then, I’m flat on my back.

....“Ma’am, are you okay?”

....That voice again. I dare to open my eyes. Helmet covered faces stare down at me. I see lips and noses, whiskered chins, but their eyes are covered with dark glasses.

....“We got to you just in time, Ma’am. Was there anyone else on the boat with you?”

....“No.” I shake my head in case they didn’t hear me. Though, I don’t elaborate. They would likely think I’m crazy if I told them everyone else had been abducted by aliens.

....Shivers overtake my body. I’m suddenly so cold. Right down to my bones.

....“We’re going to remove your wet clothes now, and get you into something dryer.”

....My teeth chatter so bad, I can’t respond. I hear the snip of scissors as my outfit is cut apart. I’m lifted up, and my clothing is removed. I’m naked in front of these strangers, but I don’t care. I just want to be warm again.

....I expect a blanket to be wrapped around me, but instead, large, warm hands caress my body. All four men are touching me, their fingers tracing the outline of my nipples, stroking between my legs.

....I’m no longer cold. Now, a fire of lust rages inside of me.

....One man leans in, as if to kiss me. But he removes his helmet first. My husband. I suck in a quick breath.

....“Jessica, are you okay?”

....The other men dissolve away, and I’m in bed with the man I love.

....“Were you dreaming or something?”

....I rub my eyes. Was I dreaming? It all felt so real. “I must have been. That’s the last time I watch Deadliest Catch before bed.” Though I know that’s a lie.

....I snuggle up to my husband, hoping to continue the end of the dream. ;)

 

DEBBIE: HAHAHAHA! Love it!

LJ: I’d say you survived it—especially since it was all a dream! And now, I’m hungry for seafood….  Thanks for coming by, Jessica! Come back anytime…we love interviewing you! J

DEBBIE: Yes, we do. Stop by again and you can let us know if the dream continues.

 

Debbie: Grab some of these worms and we can go fishing. Do lobster and crabs like worms?

LJ: I think they like chum. Fish like worms. Oh, and birds. But I have no clue where we’d find birds down here. (jumps and grabs Deb’s arm) Oh, crap.

Debbie: Don’t tell me. (puts hands over ears) lalalalalalalala. I can’t hear you!

LJ: (yanks arm) Hey, you wanted to lead a mission on a foreign planet. Here’s your chance. Lead the way. I’m right behind you!

Debbie: (Rips red shirt off and tosses it back to LJ) I said I could if I wanted to. Key word WANTED. This damn hooded dude is getting annoying. Time for a confrontation! Lets go!

LJ: OMG! She's wearing a red bra? This isn't going to be good....

 

Never Gonna Desert You

The Underground #2

By Jessica E. Subject

Erotic Lesbian Sci-Fi/Dystopian Romance

ISBN: 978-1613335468

Available From:

Decadent Publishing | Amazon.com | All Romance | B&N | more

 

BLURB:

....Determined to find and bring back her girlfriend, Brook enlists in the next mission to the foreign planet, Airondelle. But the deception at Planet Core continues, and Brook doesn't realize the depth of her father's involvement until he orders her terminated. Struggling to stay alive, she quickly learns nothing is as she believed.

....Will she ever find Melina? Or will Brook be stuck light years from home, alone, and with a fierce predator hunting her down?

 

EXCERPT:

....“Let’s go, Malock.” Jager raised his eyebrows. “Or did you change your mind?”

....She stood and released a deep breath. Even with her trepidation, she refused to back out now. Melina waited for her. “No, I’m looking forward to seeing Airondelle for myself.”

....Brook spun away and rushed to catch up with her comrades. If she revealed her plans, she’d be stopped before she could find her lover. She would have to hide Melina right under their noses to bring her home. She pushed her shoulders back. I can do this. I have to.

....The all-terrain vehicles sat loaded with equipment for the mission in front of the swirling mass of the portal. Her father certainly wasn’t wasting any time getting a team back to Airondelle. Crewmembers already filled the first vehicle, so she hopped into the back of the second.

....Jager passed around everyone’s mission directives then shoved in on her left. Thank goodness he was the last to load. With his bulk, he occupied both of the remaining seats.

....Before she had time to read her personal orders, they proceeded into the portal. She passed through the spinning matter, her body pulled and stretched in every direction. Unknown forces pushed on her chest, making it difficult to breathe. She gripped the seat, hoping she wouldn’t get pulled out. But the awkwardness didn’t last long. The transporter room light years away, clean, fresh air poured into her lungs. The alien vegetation of the foreign planet lined the rough dirt road they traveled. She yearned to explore the flora and fauna on a more intimate level. And she would, after setting up camp.

....She opened the folder with her mission directive inside. Instead of the stack of papers detailing what Planet Core expected of her, she found a single sheet.

....Her father’s handwriting scrawled across the page. You can never know the truth.

....Hard, cold steel pressed against her temple. A gun. Her breath caught. What the hell is going on? She grabbed her knapsack and launched out of the vehicle.

Read the rest of the series.... 

 

 

MORE

COMING SOON

 

Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous. 

When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.

 

Website/Blog | Newsletter | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Authorgraph