Meet Aletta Thorne and her Paranormal Romance ~ The Chef and the Ghost of Bartholomew Addison Jenkins

Welcome, Aletta. Your new novel, The Chef and the Ghost of Bartholomew Addison Jenkins, sounds intriguing.

The Chef and the Ghost of Bartholomew Addison Jenkins-cver

All authors have their own reasons for writing a book. What are yours?

Reason number one?  I like ghosts.  I live in a house that has some.  For real—we’ve been investigated and written up and everything. One of our ghosts knocked down a heavy brass floor lamp one afternoon while I was at work in my study.  That is not fiction!  Our ghost hasn’t done anything that dramatic in a while, but often, the chandelier over our dining table swings back and forth when we have guests. I knew I had to write a ghost story soon.

What would you like readers to take away from your story? Does it contain a message?

Mostly, I’d like my readers to have an excellent time!  My book is set in 1982, and that was a fun era.  My characters who aren’t ghosts are chefs and people who work with food, and doing that in the 80’s (I was a chef myself, then) was really fun.  As for a takeaway … hmmm.  I guess my message is to not be afraid of anything—even having a one-nighter with a ghost!  Although a ghost with a broken heart—that you might want to be careful with!

Did you face any obstacles or challenges while writing the story and if so, what were they?

This was my first “grownup” romance.  I have written under another name for young people, and I have written a lot of poetry.  Romance offers you the chance to tell the whole truth about a relationship.  You don’t have to cut away to waves crashing on the beach when things heat up.  I needed to keep a paper fan by my computer at first—you know, for when I was getting a little red-cheeked … but that challenge turned into a wild ride indeed.  Plus, I’ve never had my husband so interested in what I’ve been writing—ever!

What have you learned from the main characters in your story?

I’m in a long and happy marriage.  My characters reminded me how lucky I am to have that—and also how exciting the beginning of a relationship can be, and how we sometimes trust the wrong people but manage to end of with the right ones.

How much emphasis do you put on supporting characters to move the plot of your stories along? Have any of your supporting characters ever gotten their own story?

There is a supporting ghost character in this book named Geoff.  He’s not the romantic lead, but he was tons of fun to write.  He’s a trickster, a tease.  And he’s really important in the plot.  I think a good sidekick is important.  My main character is named Alma (after Alfred Hitchcock’s wife).  Her best buddy, Mary, a fellow chef, is living an open life as a gay women in 1982. I’d love to star her in something somewhere down the road.

What or who influences your writing?

 Everything influences my writing.  I read my colleagues on Evernight—but I also read poetry and literary fiction.  The “serious” book that won the big literary award this year was essentially a ghost story!  And the new romance I’m working on right now takes place in a tiny house because I’m morbidly fascinated with them.

What is your writing process? Are you a patnser or a plotter, or a little of both?

I’m a pantser!  I do keep notes, but not extensive ones.  I usually know more or less where I want a book to go, but sometimes my own plots surprise me.  I had no idea the major plot twist in The Chef and The Ghost of Bartholomew Addison Jenkins was going to happen…until it did!

Do you have any author idols and if so, how would you like to meet them?

I don’t have true idols.  The authors who I think have written real masterpieces aren’t around anymore anyway.  I was a chef in the 80’s, but I’ve spent most of my life teaching high school English, so my big writing heroes are folks like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Mark Twain.  By the way, have you ever seen a picture of Hawthorne as a young man?  He was seriously hot.  Maybe time travel…

What are your three favorite books by other authors and why? You don’t have to limit this to three. (I know I can’t.)

Oh, Lord.

Cider House Rules by John Irving.  Anything at all by the British novelist Sarah Waters (okay, she may be a bit of an idol, but I’d be scared to meet her.  She is so, so good.)  A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (I do write YA, too).  That book is now and always my North Star. I tend to fall in love with whatever I am reading at the time.

What do you do in your down time to feed your soul?

I DJ on an internet radio station I run with my friends, and I sing choral music.  I listen to huge amounts of music—classical and rock and roll both.  I read about making classic cocktails, make classic cocktails, and sometimes drink them!  And I’m still a very passionate cook with damn good knife skills if I do say so.

What’s next on your literary horizon?

I have publications coming soon in the poetry and young adult world.  My alter ego has been busy!  And there’s that tiny house romance I’ve started.

What is important in your life and why?

My patient and loving husband and my family.  My mom’s 93 (she doesn’t know about the ghost romance!).  My sister, who has done some amazing Op-Ed and humor writing.  My two spoiled kitties.  And getting to write every day.

Editor’s Pick

Blurb:

Halloween, 1982. MTV is new, poodle perms are the rage, and life just might be getting better for Alma Kobel.  Her ugly divorce is final at last. Her new job as chef at Bright Day School’s gorgeous old estate is actually fun.  But the place is haunted—and so is Alma’s apartment. Bartholomew Addison Jenkins’ ghost has been invisibly watching Alma for months.  When he materializes one night, Alma discovers Bart—as he likes to be called–has talents she couldn’t have imagined…and a horrifying past. Can you have a one-nighter with a ghost?  And what happens if you decide one night is all you want—and end up ghosting him?  Some spirits don’t like taking “no” for an answer.

Aletta Thorne

Excerpt:

A ghost is watching me eat an omelet. “What’s your name?”

“Bartholomew Addison Jenkins,” he said. “These days, I just use Bart.”

“These days. But you’ve been here since you…”

“Since 1784,” he said.

“Which was when you died, I guess.”

“I must tell you, dear lady, saying that to one of us is considered rude. In better ghostly circles, that is. Some of us are not aware we are dead. Some of us do not like to be reminded of it.”

“But you called yourself my dead…”

Bart threw his head back and laughed. “No, no, no. I’m not sensitive about it. Geoff Brussy is, though, terribly but he always was a hothead. I swear he acted as if he was ignorant of his own passing for at least a century. Forgive me, Alma. Finish your supper.”

“But you know my name. Oh. Because you live here. So I guess you see and hear…” Everything. He’d have seen me do everything I’ve ever done in this apartment…

“I try not to spy,” Bart said. “And I’m often asleep. Daytimes almost always. Some evenings, too. Ghosts are capable of sleeping for years. Depending on what we’ve been up to, of course. We’re made of energy and sometimes, our energy … just dissipates. So our acquaintances tend to … vanish. It’s quite upsetting. I’ve lost a number of friends that way. Other ghosts, I mean. Dissipation is hard on our … um, relationships.”

“Your relationships?” said Alma.

“Isn’t that what you call it, these days? Or do you still say ‘having lovers?’ People said that for quite a while. You’ll forgive me. I slept through half of the nineteen sixties. The residents of this apartment in the 70s were—what do you call it again? Pot heads. Boring.”

“Ghosts have … relationships?” Alma remembered her metaphysical poetry class from New Paltz. “The grave’s a fine and private place, but none, I think, do there embrace,” she said.

“Oops. Guess I mentioned death again. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Bart chuckled. “Oh, that’s fine. Andrew Marvel. Good. Very good. ‘To His Coy Mistress.’ He was utterly wrong, of course. About embracing. Of course, it’s a bit … challenging for us, but hardly impossible.”

Alma shook her head. She’d finished her omelet, and put her plate in the sink.

“Please,” said Bart. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you for months and months. Why don’t you finish your wine in the living room? I’ll turn over the record. I’ve been enjoying the music. Both sides of that album are really very good. I like ‘The Fountains of Rome’ too. We couldn’t have imagined Respighi during my days in the flesh.”

“You’ll turn over the record. Oh, because you…”

“I do like to keep up. Who poured you wine from the … refrigerator? Although, I don’t understand why people of your age prefer it so icy.”

Alma followed Bart into the living room, still wondering why things didn’t seem odder than they were. She remembered the Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoons she’d seen as a little girl. This ghost was acting—well, perhaps a bit more flirty than friendly. He only glowed a bit as they walked through the dim hallway that connected her rooms. You can hardly even tell he’s translucent. What had he seen of her, though? She was glad her frustrating night with Sid had been at his place.

As Bart bent over the turntable and flipped the record, the reading lamp by her couch highlighted the silver buttons of his coat. She curled up on the couch and put her wine glass on the glass-covered orange crate she’d turned into a coffee table.

Bart sat beside her, suspiciously close. He put an arm over the back of the couch, and Alma shook her head again. That’s the old sneaky-arm trick—like a high school kid. It’s kind of cute. She pulled her legs up under herself, and they quietly listened to the music.

“You’re right,” she said after a few minutes. “‘Fountains’ is really good, too. I almost never listen to that side.”

Bart made a quiet harrumphing noise.

Do ghosts clear their throats? Apparently so.

“Dear lady,” he said. “Although I do try not to snoop, as you would say, I have indeed observed your solitude. Let me assure you, your life will soon be happier.” He slid even closer to her.

Okay. Now the ghost is absolutely coming on to me. This is really happening. Oh, hell—why not? He’s not bad—for a dead guy.

“Um, Bart?” she said. His eyes really were a startling color—almost bronze… “You can’t actually be…”

Bart set his fingertips on her cheeks, looked into her eyes, and sighed. Then he smiled. “You think this is a ridiculous situation. It’s not ridiculous,” he said. “Not at all. Allow me to demonstrate … with your permission, m’lady.”

Somehow, that was funny, and Alma giggled. “Granted.”

Bart’s hands were impossibly soft and gentle—and his touch had some of the same fire-and-ice buzz that she’d felt before in the kitchen when he’d tried to get her attention. He guided her lips to his, and gave her what would have been a tiny peck—from anyone else. It shot a bolt of fire straight through her.

Oh,” she said. It took a minute to get her breath. “Wow. That was… Do ghosts usually have relationships with—I don’t know how to say this without getting into it all again … people who are still alive?”

“No, actually. In fact, I’ve never heard of it. Ever.” His hands were in her hair now, and urgent.

Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-chef-and-the-ghost-of-bartholomew-addison-jenkins/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076WJK63L/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1509121154&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Chef+and+the+Ghost+of+Bartholomew+Addison+Jenkins

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alettasghosts & https://www.facebook.com/aletta.thorne.3

All purpose writing blog: https://chrispygal.weebly.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at what’s new from E.D. Parr ~ Blond, her newest erotic, shifter, gay romance release

 

Blond cover

What would you think if the guy you were dating raced off every night before midnight and would never say why? Would you succumb to the urge to follow him one night?

Liam Hale can’t believe his luck when he meets the man of his dreams, Karl Oberon.

Hunky Karl is the sexiest man Liam has ever met, but his mysterious disappearances start to tease.

Gorgeous Liam is the only man Karl has ever loved.

Together they spark and sizzle with passion, but Karl doesn’t know how to tell Liam why he races away. Maybe keeping Liam’s mind off the question with mind-blowing erotic encounters will work.

Blond banner

Warning this book contains:

MM sex, MM anal sex in various positions, MM oral sex, MM sex in restrooms of gay bar, MM partner masturbation, and anal play.

Editor’s Pick

Excerpt (age 18+):

Karl rested his face on Liam’s. He whispered on Liam’s mouth. “You’re hot as hell. I’m fuckin’ desperate to feel your hard cock in my hand.” Then he kissed Liam.

The passion that traveled over Liam as Karl’s lips merged with his in a slow, soft, lingering kiss, weakened his thighs. The skin between his legs under his balls throbbed. His cock jerked in his pants. He returned the kiss grabbing Karl’s head and thrusting his cock in upward strokes on the hard column in Karl’s pants. He kissed Karl until every fiber of his being screamed to come. He murmured between kisses. “The restroom here is a good place for desperados.”

Karl smiled against his mouth. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He crushed Liam close in a final hug as the song ended and then he broke away.

Liam followed Karl across the dance floor and through the door that led to a short corridor and the restrooms. These weren’t like the toilets in some gay bars that Liam disliked for their barren and sometimes grubby surrounds. The restrooms in this bar were sparkling clean and spacious. Two of the stalls at the end of the row had benches and wash basins. Liam had laughed at them when he’d first seen them, but now he walked past Karl and showed him into one.

Karl flicked the catch along on the door lock. He pushed Liam against the wall with one hand, and as his tongue forced Liam’s lips open, with the other hand he dragged Liam’s jeans zipper down.

Liam moaned, overwhelmed with the need to feel Karl’s hands on his cock. He grabbed his jeans to help, and jerked them down his ass to his thighs as he sucked Karl’s tongue into his mouth. His cock sprang free, but not for long.

Karl grasped the shaft. He drew away from Liam’s lips and gazed into his eyes. “You’re leaking. You look ready to be fucked. Do you want that? To be fucked? To have my hard dick ram into your ass until your cum spurts up your chest?”

Liam’s entire body went into meltdown. His cock throbbed and his balls lifted so tight he instinctively reached his hand down to stroke them. His fingers met Karl’s wrapped around his dick. Liam’s stomach tightened inwards and he groaned. “I need to come so bad I’m about to fall down.”

Karl knelt and pushed his fingers between Liam’s legs. He stroked Liam’s balls with his thumb and clamped his other hand around Liam’s cock tight. The helmet head poked out of his fist and Karl lapped at the slit then circled his tongue around and around until Liam was gasping and thrusting.

Karl pumped Liam’s dick fast and hard. He teased at Liam’s ass with his fingertips and his palm cradled Liam’s aching balls.

Liam orgasmed with such intensity he grabbed Karl’s shoulders bending his head, and groaned open mouthed against the white linen shirt Karl wore. He thrust up into Karl’s fist and only stopped as the waves of delicious pleasure waned and left him drowning in satisfaction and gratitude.

Karl pushed Liam’s shirt up with strong hands and licked up his stomach.

The trail of exquisite sensation he left made Liam wince and sigh. He grasped Karl’s head, his fingers slipping through Karl’s soft, abundant hair, trying to bring Karl’s face to his for a kiss. “Kiss me, please…”

Copyright E.D.Parr Evernight Publishing 2017

Blond teaser 1

BUY the BOOK:

On launch special price at Evernight

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/blond-by-e-d-parr/

Global Amazon link http://a-fwd.com/asin-com=B076L3JC63

http://www.bookstrand.com/blond-mm

Blond teaser 2

Find E.D.Parr

Evernight Publishing http://www.evernightpublishing.com/e-d-parr/

Twitter https://twitter.com/parr_books

Amazon page https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MUNJ3I8\

Blog https://parrx.blogspot.com

G+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/109826263935095799032

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/parrbooks/

Blond teaser 3

 

An interview with author, C.E. Vescio, about her thriller, romance novel, Rush

Welcome, Cara. You’re new novel, Rush, filled with intrigue, mystery, and romance sounds so exciting!

Rush cover

All authors have their own reasons for writing a book. What are yours?

Therapy! While writing isn’t a replacement for a therapist, it sure has helped me work through some life stuff. I have periodic anxiety, and writing calms me down and helps me focus.

Where did you find your inspiration for the story? Was it a person, a current event, something you witnessed, or something else?

I had inspiration from two sources. First, my friend, Katie is a ballet dancer and she’d tell me about her younger dancing life. The intensity, drive, and dedication it takes to be a full-time ballerina is certainly inspiring. Second, my time in a Navy search and rescue helicopter squadron came into play just a little in creating Alex, my male MC. He is an homage to many of the men and women I encountered during that time in my life.

Did you face any obstacles or challenges while writing the story and if so, what were they?

I’m most definitely not a ballet dancer, so I really had to work to get into the headspace of Scarlet Rush (thanks, Katie). I was also lucky enough to attend the NYC Ballet two years ago, (thanks, Tara) and that experience stuck with me. We were very close to the stage, and could hear the dancer’s movements. Still, I am more military minded than ballerina, so while I could write Alex rather well, I could get stuck on Scarlet from time to time.

What have you learned from the main characters in your story?

That I am more of a hopeful romantic.

How much emphasis do you put on supporting characters to move the plot of your stories along? Have any of your supporting characters ever gotten their own story?

I put a lot of thought into all characters, and often find myself liking my secondary characters more. I think secondary characters are crucial in moving your plot.

I have been asked to write books based on secondary characters from my previous series, and have entertained that idea for sure.

Do you write in other genres and if so, what are they? What genres would you like to try that you haven’t already?

This is my first romance- SURPRISE! I’m more of an action/suspense writer and my first series is about a cynical contract killer dealing with her crazy family. I also adore science fiction and urban fantasy and have written a couple unpublished manuscripts in those genres.

What or who influences your writing?

Everything around me influences my writing—friends, family, current events, and even video games. My mother raised me to love literature, and for that I’m grateful.

What is your writing process? Are you a patnser or a plotter, or a little of both?

A little of both. I will start out with an outline and end up deviating here and there. I think it’s healthy to be a good dose of both… stories are organic.

Do you have any author idols and if so, how would you like to meet them?

Neil Gaiman for sure! I sat in on a reading earlier this year, and he’s a lovely human being. I also give mad love to my friend, Rebekah Crane. She’s a YA author and just writes pure magic.

What are your three favorite books by other authors and why? You don’t have to limit this to three. (I know I can’t.)

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (anything by Neil Gaiman, but Gods is my favorite- I even have a tattoo dedicated to it.)

Dry by Augusten Burroughs

Aspen by Rebekah Crane

Red Shirts by John Scalzi

I’ll stop at four so this isn’t going on forever…

What do you do in your down time to feed your soul?

I’m a gamer and a photographer, so I will take up my controller or my camera to recharge.

What’s next on your literary horizon?

I’m also a script writer, so hopefully a few of those projects pan out haha. If not, I am polishing up an urban fantasy and a sci-fi thriller for possible publication.

What is important in your life and why?

Family and friends… I’d be lost without them.

Rush quotes

Blurb for your book:

As the prima ballerina for a prominent San Francisco ballet company, Scarlet Rush is used to being on her toes—but after a failed kidnapping attempt, even her nimble feet aren’t enough to keep her out of reach of her rivals. Begrudgingly, she’s forced into the protective services of Alex Strong, a former private military contractor turned bodyguard. Scarlet isn’t thrilled to have Alex follow her every move, but as hidden dangers rise, she has no choice but to trust him.

Soon, Scarlet and Alex find themselves passionate partners in a dance all their own. Alex is captivated by Scarlet and knows he must protect her at all costs despite the pain of past demons still haunting him.

Excerpt from your book:

Alex kept his gaze intently locked on her, watching the fluid movement of her silent twirls. He heard the soft thumps of her shoes and the sharp intake of her breathing as she glided over the dance floor. When she danced into the light, her expression held a soft sadness, and he could tell she was immersed in a secret world where no one could touch her.

From the point of her toes to the tips of her fingers, her grace held him captive, and he had to remind himself to blink. He understood now why Edward had chosen her. She commanded eyes to watch her with just her presence.

Scarlet danced around, holding her hands out to nothing, as if pleading to an invisible partner. Her leg rose in a controlled lift, and she extended her reach out. When her leg descended, she executed a turn, overstepped, and stumbled.

“Shit,” she muttered. She stopped and bent down to grab a towel on her bag. She wiped her forehead, then let her head lean back to stretch her neck.

Alex took another few steps into the room. “Is your back feeling better?”

Scarlet jumped, her hand flying to her mouth. She squinted at Alex, and recognition registered on her face. Scarlet smiled, putting the towel down to grab a water bottle.

“Yeah,” she said, taking a quick drink. “This is just a duo dance and it’s a little difficult when I don’t have my partner around, but he has a social life.”

Alex nodded. “So, even if you weren’t under curfew, you’d be here?”

“I like it here,” Scarlet said. “My grandmother always said dancing is the closest thing to magic.” She looked around and shrugged. “Guess I just get lost in my world. You don’t mind, do you? I won’t be much longer.”

“It’s fine,” Alex said. “I like watching you dance. It’s calming, even without music.”

Scarlet kept her eyes on him for a moment before she tilted her head in question. “Hey, do you want to do me a favor?”

Alex blinked. “Uh, depends.”

She chuckled, throwing the water bottle down. “I just need you to stand here as a base. I need to nail this sequence and the fouetté. Grab under my leg when I raise it to you. Then lift me from a floor position to mid, which is where your chin is, and right back down. I’ll guide you.”

Alex had no idea what she said, but he doubted it would be that complicated. He shrugged. “Okay.”

“Thanks.” She pointed at the floor. “Just stand here.”

Alex unbuttoned his blazer, removing it and his gun. He placed them on a chair against the wall and moved to the middle of the floor as directed.

Scarlet took a deep breath and her face relaxed. She fell into the same zone Alex had observed earlier, where it seemed nothing existed to her but dance. She stepped up to him, brushing her hand from his shoulder down to his palm. She grabbed hold and leaned in, kicking up behind her. He closed his eyes briefly as her movement made his pulse quicken.

Scarlet moved around him like an ethereal creature, her agile and controlled movements softly brushing against him. She ran her hands over his shoulders and his chest. He could hear her short breaths as her arms and legs executed their perfect action. He tensed up, attempting to push out the not-so professional thoughts that were slowly invading his mind.

Breathe, he commanded himself.

She stretched her body away from him, balancing perfectly on the tip of one foot, then turned back into him. Her back pressed into his chest and she brought her hands up toward his head, not quite brushing his face. He looked to the mirror across the room, studying the lines of her body.

He held his breath in again, as if it would help him feel less.

Scarlet spun around him one more time, ending in a series of turns before dropping down to his leg, and pushing away from him as if frightened.

He looked down at her in worry, but without missing a beat, she stretched away from him, arching her back.

Scarlet reached up a graceful hand to him. “Now pull me up to you.”

He took her hand, and pulled too hard. His strength lifted her easily off the floor and into his arms, which automatically closed around her as she collided with his chest.

She stopped and looked up at him in surprise. Both of their breathing elevated, despite Alex not having moved a muscle. He swallowed again and parted his lips, wanting to say something, but not knowing what.

Scarlet lifted her chin a little. Alex stared at her lips. The seemed to inch closer, full and waiting. He wanted to let the heated captivation of her dance push him over that edge, and the heavy tension of their embrace dared him to make that move. The sudden rush of desire surprised him.

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0767H3V55/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_PH31zbPDS7JZY

Evernight: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/rush-by-c-e-vescio

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/751944

C. E. Vescio

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

C. E. Vescio is a jack of all trades- and mastered at least one. Her first novel, Elegantly Wasted, touched on the demented and humorous side of a delightfully dysfunctional family. She’s a fan of writing and reading science fiction, urban fantasy, romantic suspense and contemporary fiction.

C. E. is a Navy vet, professional photographer, web designer, gamer, cosplayer, and a sporadic burlesque performer. She’s from Phoenix, but lives in Las Vegas with her husband, John and three mutts. They’re expecting their first child in January of 2018.

Social Media Links:

WEBSITE: http://fictionalchick.com/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CaraVescio

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/caravescio/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/cevescio/

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/fictionalchick/en-pointe/

 

An interview with author, Jessie Pinkham, about her Gay, Erotic, Fantasy ~ Romance on the Go~Short Story, The Dragon Keeper

Welcome, Jessie! I found your short story, The Dragon Keeper, about the plot to exterminate all dragons in a kingdom, fascinating.

The Dragon Keeper

All authors have their own reasons for writing a book. What are yours?

I come up with stories whether I write them and share them or not. I’ve been doing it since I was a little girl. Since the stories are in me, and I love the process of creating them, why not write and publish them? As a reader, I know how much I appreciate a good story, so I’m happy to contribute for other people to enjoy.

What would you like readers to take away from your story? Does it contain a message?

The Dragon Keeper is not what I would consider a ‘message story,’ in that I never set out to write it with a moral. I wanted to write a fun and plausible fantasy tale with unique characters, and readers can enjoy it on that level.

That being said, I think it’s a celebration of doing the right thing even at great personal cost, and in this way it’s empowering. I’m a tremendous believer in the importance of doing the right thing and pursuing truth, no matter what the consequences are, and those sentiments definitely influenced this story.

Where did you find your inspiration for the story? Was it a person, a current event, something you witnessed, or something else?

Most of my stories start with a “What if?” In this case, I wondered how humans would interact with dragons if they actually existed. How would we coexist? Would people even be willing to coexist with dragons? If we couldn’t control dragons, could we still find a way to benefit from them?

Answering these questions gave me the basics of my world. I tried to ground the fantasy elements in realism, because I wanted the story and its universe to be relatable. I wanted readers to think, This makes sense. If dragons existed, people would do that.

From there, I started wondering what kind of man would devote his life to working with dragons. How would he interact with people? What would he need in a relationship, and what would he have to offer a partner?

Did you face any obstacles or challenges while writing the story and if so, what were they?

I had to learn the value of humility in accepting editor’s feedback. It’s a bit of a blow to the ego of a romance writer when your manuscript comes back and the editor didn’t like an entire sex scene! That being said, the second version of this particular sex scene is truly much better than the first. I had wanted to make a statement about sex scenes, to put out something which said, “Look, sex doesn’t have to involve any penetration, mutual masturbation can be hot,” and while I stand by that idea, it didn’t translate very well in the context of this particular story.

You can read part of the revised scene in the excerpt below and see for yourself how it turned out instead.

How much emphasis do you put on supporting characters to move the plot of your stories along? Have any of your supporting characters ever gotten their own story?

The shorter a story is, the less important supporting characters are to me. Because The Dragon Keeper is a short work, the supporting characters play a minimal role. None of my supporting characters have gotten their own story yet, but it might happen for one of my current works in progress.

What is your writing process? Are you a patnser or a plotter, or a little of both?

I am a complete pantser! If I had to have an entire story plotted out before I started writing, I’d never finish a single manuscript. I don’t necessarily write in order, either. For The Dragon Keeper, I wrote the epilogue when I was about halfway through the main story, which is standard for my process.

My writing tends to be based around the characters, and as I develop a sense of who my main characters are, the plot usually falls into place. The Dragon Keeper is, if I may invent a word, my pantserest story yet. When I started, I pulled up a new document on my computer and decided I wanted to write a story with dragons. I didn’t have the vaguest idea what the plot would turn out to be until the first chapter was written.

What are your three favorite books by other authors and why? You don’t have to limit this to three. (I know I can’t.)

In terms of M/M romance, my favorites are N.R. Walker’s Imago series and Broken by Nicola Haken. I enjoy historical fiction, and in that genre Edward Rutherfurd’s London and Sarem are at the top of my list. I’ll stop there, or we’ll be here for ages!

What’s next on your literary horizon?

I’m always juggling multiple works in progress. I have a complete inability to write one story at a time, which can be a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing when I have writer’s block for one story but can work on another, and a curse when I realize just how long I’ve been working on a story that still isn’t finished.

Right now I’m writing a contemporary romance dealing with the fallout of religious abuse, and on a completely different note, a science fiction romance where some humans have been genetically engineered to possess paranormal abilities. I like to read and write different subgenres of romance, as you can tell.

Blurb:

Sometimes it takes a crisis to appreciate a good man…

When Aldric first meets Lito, he considers the man a nuisance. As a dragon keeper for the kingdom of Corancia, he has more important tasks than answering an artist’s numerous questions about dragons.

Lito travelled to Corancia so he could observe dragons firsthand for his paintings, and he’s full of questions about the magnificent creatures. His questions aren’t merely for his art, however, they arise from his deep love of dragons. When he overhears a plot by his own kingdom to eliminate the animals, he has to choose between his loyalty and his beloved dragons.

Working to prevent the extermination of dragons throws Aldric and Lito together. Lust is in the air, and if they’re lucky, they could end up with a happily ever after.

Excerpt:

Once the artist set down his pen, Aldric ventured to ask, “Does it take many years of training to be an artist?”

“To be a good one, yes. Particularly when it comes to the details of preparing materials and paints. However, at the risk of being outrageously bold, after the way you were looking at me I’ll be more than a touch disappointed if you are thinking only of my craft.”

It was very bold indeed, but Aldric found he liked that. “Not only, no.” He glanced down at Lito’s hands. “Your hands are nimble, and you have such control.”

Lito smiled. “Perhaps you’re wondering what else I can do with them?”

Aldric felt himself blush. “You are outrageously bold.”

“And you need not hold yourself back so much. Certainly not after I established that you aren’t the only one interested. Is everyone in the north so restrained?”

“No. I spend more time with dragons than with people.”

“We ought to do something about that,” said Lito. He reached out, placing one hand on the side of Aldric’s face. “I see no reason you can’t enjoy human company when your workday is completed.”

Aldric did not enjoy the company of just any human. Lito’s was among those he did enjoy. “I don’t know the custom for seducing a houseguest,” he confessed. “Am I supposed to offer you supper first, or take you to bed straightaway?”

Lito laughed. “I believe I’m the one seducing you. In either case, bed, please.”

Aldric took Lito to his bedroom, glad that his bedding was recently returned from the laundress. It would not do to appear slovenly.

Not that Lito paid heed to the room, as his attention was reserved for Aldric. Specifically, removing Aldric’s clothing. He made short work of it all, followed quickly by his own. Naked, they admired each other.

Aldric was not one to admire for very long when he could be touching. He ran his hand down Lito’s neck and traced the muscles on the artist’s chest, enjoying not just the feel of muscle but the way Lito reacted with quickened breath and shivering skin.

He sat on his bed and pulled Lito down so the other man was straddling his lap. This was an excellent position, which allowed for roaming hands and the thrill of their cocks bumping together. Lito also took this as time for kissing. Aldric was not always fond of the activity, but he found with Lito he quite liked it. All the more so when Lito arranged himself so their chests were together and his hands traced a roving pattern on Aldric’s back at the same time his tongue explored Aldric’s mouth.

It had been some time since Aldric last enjoyed the company of another man, and he forcibly quelled his impatience. He found it was always better to take one’s time in matters of sexual pleasure, so he focused on individual sensations: the feel of Lito’s weight on his lap, the sound of their kisses and Lito’s barely audible whimpers, the heady scent of aroused men, and the shocks of pleasure when their cocks touched.

Lito dragged his fingernails along Aldric’s spine and pulled his mouth away. “You see, it pays handsomely to be outrageously bold.”

Such was not Aldric’s style, but he appreciated it in Lito. “Indeed, it does.” Then he put his mouth to work pressing kisses along his lover’s neck, which earned him a series of delightful moans. He enjoyed a vocal lover. Each noise served as a reward for his efforts and told him what his partner especially liked.

He leaned to lie flat on his back, taking Lito down with him. The weight of another man’s body atop his own excited him, as did Lito’s next enthusiastic round of kissing and rubbing.

When the artist next stopped kissing he said, “I do believe I spoke of what else I can do with my hands. I ought to demonstrate.”

“By all means.”

His fingers were as nimble as earlier, only now the quick motions danced around Aldric’s sac. “You are very talented,” said Aldric.

“I always endeavor for the best possible results.”

How fortunate for Aldric. He gasped as Lito took his cock in one hand while the other continued its tantalizing massage of his balls.

“It’s a benefit to bedding an artist.” Lito smiled, clearly pleased with Aldric’s reaction to his ministrations. “Well-trained hands combined with ceaseless striving for perfection.”

If one considered an orgasm perfection, Aldric was fast approaching it until Lito suddenly stopped and said, “I want to undo you, Aldric.”

He was about to remark that letting go of his cock was not a good way to achieve that goal, when Lito did something remarkable. He lowered himself down Aldric’s body and took Aldric’s cock in his mouth.

The sensation was so overwhelmingly wonderful that it took Aldric a moment to ask, “What are you doing?”

Lito paused, which was a great loss and made Aldric regret his question. “You don’t mean to tell me you’ve never done this?”

“I’ve never heard of taking a cock in my mouth.”

The artist’s eyes widened in surprise. “How dreadful. I must show you what you’ve been missing.”

Aldric decided he’d been missing a great deal.

Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/the-dragon-keeper-by-jessie-pinkham/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Keeper-Romance-Go-Book-ebook/dp/B075XNKJQJ/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/750401

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.jessiepinkham.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessiePinkhambooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16835564.Jessie_Pinkham