How a Hermit Left her Cabin for a Life in the WILD!

ON SALE AT AMAZON FOR A LIMITED TIME ~ .99!

Discover the Wild! Escape Today...

One reader reviewer said, "The perfect blend of erotica and horror for readers who crave darker stories with a sexy storyline!"

Happy Tuesday!
~Alisha Paige

Interview with Lux Zakari!!

What made you decide to write in this genre?

It was never so much a decision as it was a natural draw. I find it impossible not to write about relationships, with all the good and the bad, and for the most part relationships concern sex in some capacity. I choose to be graphic with all the sexy details because I’m being graphic about everything else everyone is feeling or doing. It wouldn’t feel right for me to skimp there. Plus, it’s hot and fun!

Which character did you like writing the most? Why? Which character was the hardest?

Finale’s protagonist, Olivia Gray, was the most fun to write. I loved the opportunity to be so sarcastic and describe the world in such a dry, ridiculous, over-the-top way. Her growth was also really satisfying to chart, as was the decline of her secret paramour, the musician Jonathan Levant. Their relationship and dialogue felt very natural and easy to write. The children were definitely most difficult to write, as I don’t currently have kids of my own. Hopefully I succeeded in lending them a semblance of realism!

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Tell us a little about your writing process.

I definitely start out with a synopsis to get me going, but I don’t write in any specific order. Actually, I write in no order at all; I’ll start in the middle and sometimes write the end before the beginning. I just go with whatever idea is most vivid in my head—that ensures that at least something gets done!

Where did you get the idea for this book?

The inspiration for Finale may strike some readers as obvious, but it goes beyond the bare-bones concept of a music legend dying under sudden circumstances and leaving his three children behind. This isn’t the music legend’s story. I wanted to explore the idea of what the aftermath of his death would be like for all the parties involved, and I wanted to intersperse the story with a complicated love story providing evidence behind the decision to leave the children under the guardianship of a person who never thought of anyone but herself.

Did it require a lot of research? What was your favorite part of research?

My friend cracked me up recently; I was telling him how on some occasions, I try to be an unobservant as possible, and he was like, “You try to be unobservant? How are you a writer, man? ...Maybe that’s why you’re prolific; you’re just making shit up!” Generally, that’s what I do; I definitely just wing it if I have no idea what I’m talking about, and for the most part, I have little experience with some major themes of the story, such as fame and parenting. But the story did have to be grounded in realism, so whenever I would reach a point where I needed a fact or some realistic inspiration (i.e., when the Grammies took place, what kind of car was popular in 1985), I’d just type “XXXX” and go back later to fill those spots in.

Is there anything you'd like to share with readers?

In the near future, look for some happy endings – but know they won’t come easy!

# # #

Purchase link for Finale: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=601&zenid=6682f72a0e56c6d5ef87b6d88e427d51

Purchase link for Coercion: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_12&products_id=315

www.luxzakari.com

A Busy Beaver!

Okay, time to announce that I have been busy and not just sitting on my laurels :-) Us writers lead strange lives, don't we? When we're writing, everyone says...Where are you? When we're around on blogs and forums, the response is...why aren't you writing? LOL


Anyway, I have a new release, Away Team! I'm so excited about this one as Ely is one of my all time fav characters.


Here's the linkage thingy AWAY TEAM

PLUS!!!! I did a video for it, too! Check it out by going here:


AWAY TEAM BOOOK VIDEO

I also have a lovely new cover out! I blogged about it. Want to see? It's smexy...you have been warned


SMEXY NEW COVER!

ALSO!!!! I have another video done for my September release, a story about a transferrer named Rava! What's a transferrer, I hear you ask? Well, it's a class of human (in the future) who stores information within him--in his storage banks (testicles) to be used later by the Oracles or End Users. It's a cybernetic love story, too!


RAVA'S BOOK VIDEO

Teaser....Wolfgang...Coming October 2011!

Thank you to all my fans in the UK who have made me a best seller! Circle City is now #46 in the UK at Amazon! Wow! I appreciate and love all your fan mail! Soon to release in August is Deadly R&R and my young adult novel, Tusk. Stay tuned for Tusk's upcoming cover art!

Here's a teaser from Wolfgang, a tale of religion and vampirism! Happy Reading!

“I ate half the dust those last hundred miles.” Wolfgang Stone stepped off his shiny black Harley. “I’m getting a beer, want one?”
“Hell, yes.” Rage Stone had talked his brother into riding cross country on a whim. “God, this place is out in the middle of no man’s land.”
“I’ll pay for the gas. You get it next time.”
“Okay.”
Wolfgang wiped his sunglasses clean with the tail of his tailored Armani shirt. He kicked the beat up screen door open with the steel toe of his boot. The place looked like it was stuck in a time warp. The ancient gas station was smack dab in the heart of the 70’s. The scent of bacon and country eggs wafted through the dusty service station. Wolfgang noticed a bell on the counter. How many years had it been since he’d rang one of those? He scratched his jaw and frowned. Movement caught his eye. He saw a woman dressed in a short silk nightie. She hadn’t noticed him and he didn’t want to startle her by calling out. He glanced at his watch. No wonder. It was a quarter to eight. The brothers had driven through the night. They’d have stopped earlier but the oncoming storm provided sufficient cloud coverage for travel without injury. They could continue onward if the rains came.
“Darla! Where are my fucking eggs?”
Wolfgang removed his sunglasses and peered down the hallway. The gas station was connected to a home. The woman walked past again. He watched her fumbling in the cabinets. She cried out when the bacon grease spat her on the arm.
“Make sure you burn them to a crisp.”
The woman looked up when Wolfgang placed two bottles of beer on the counter. He nodded in her direction and she gasped, rushing down another hall. He thought he heard her mumble something to the man. There was no mistaking what the man said next.
“You let him see you dressed like that? You fucking slut! Go get some god damned clothes on and then get me my fucking eggs.”
“I have to cook the bacon first,” she hollered from the hallway.
Both of them had been out of his line of vision but within seconds, the woman was airborne. Without even realizing it, he was entering this couple’s private Sunday morning routine. He stormed down the hall, just in time to see her land against the gas stove. The impact knocked over the pan of sizzling bacon. It splashed onto her backside and she screamed in agony. Wolfgang kneeled over her and placed his palm on her back. The burns disappeared. The damaged skin was left looking pink and new. She raised her head to speak but the man spoke instead.
“Who the fuck are you?”
Wolfgang stood and met the bald man, eye to eye. He smiled, showing off his fangs. The man’s eyes bulged.
“I’m your worst fucking nightmare.” He grabbed him by the shoulders and tossed him into the sky like wedding day rice. Baldy landed on the antlers of a large buck.
The woman screamed, scrambled to her feet and ran to the back door. Wolfgang moved like lightning and landed in front of the door, facing her. She screamed again, pushing against his chest but this time he took her face in his hands and forced her to look at him.


Their eyes locked and her arms fell to her side. She took one shuddering breath, closed her eyes and fell into his arms. He tucked her honey colored hair behind one ear and sniffed her long neck. His crotch tightened. A groan escaped his throat. His fangs grew as he picked her up. He would enjoy her more lying down and right now he couldn’t decide if he wanted to fuck her or suck her.
“Wolfgang! Put her down!”
The elder vamp hissed at his brother. Rage was at his side in a flash, his fangs withdrawn.
“I will not. Let’s share her.”
“Fuck that. You promised not to kill. That’s why we’re on this trip.”
Wolfgang’s blue eyes dilated to tiny pin points. His fangs shortened a bit. “She smells so good.” He sniffed her again. “Isn’t she beautiful?”
“Gorgeous. But she’s not ours.”
One last grunt came from the hanging corpse. Rage turned to see. “Holy shit! What have you done?”
“He threw her across the room. She’s abused.”
Rage dug his fingertips into his eye sockets. “You can’t just kill him.”
“I just did.”
“So I see. Put her down.”
“I will. When I’m finished.”
“I won’t let you kill her.”
“Then I’ll just be her maker. She’ll make for good company on the road. I just saved her from a lifetime of abuse.”
“Are you insane?”
“I’m sure of it.”
The girl moaned. Her eyelashes fluttered.
“Let’s get out of here. She’s waking up.”
“I’m in no hurry.”
A car door slammed. Rage peered down the hall. “Fuck, it’s a state trooper!”
“Shit!”
“Shit is right! We have a dead man hanging on the wall.”
There was a knock at the back door. Rage peered through the peep hole. “It’s him. Let’s get out of here.”
“I’m not leaving her here to take the fall for this.”
“How many women can throw their husbands onto a pair of antlers? Leave her.”
Wolfgang ran down the hall and busted through the screen door. Rage flashed himself outside but his brother was gone. He heard footsteps coming from the side of the house.
"Damn! I’ll come back for the bike."
A bolt of lightning shot across the dusty parking lot. A tumble weed rolled over his boot. Rain slammed into the hot asphalt as Rage disappeared like the wind.

Almost 1600 Ebooks Sold!!!!

In four short months, I've sold close to 1600 ebooks at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords!

My paranormal romance, Circle City: Lord of the Wolfen is currently a bestseller in the UK!!! As of this writing, it is #22 across the pond! It has hit the bestseller's list several times in the US as well. The Hour Glass Witch has also hit the bestseller's list in the US and the UK!

The best thing about living the Indie Dream is that I have total control over creativity, cover art, release dates and price! And the second best thing is that the Gatekeepers are MY WONDERFUL READERS. Not agents. Not editors who give us what they think we want to read. Readers. Readers decide what they want to read. They spread the word.

Indie = Freedom for both author and reader! The best of two worlds!!!!

A big thank you to all my readers in the US, the UK and my one lonely reader in Germany!! Where are you? I'd love to hear from you! I answer each and every fan letter! Write me at alishapaigewilson@yahoo.com.

I hope all my friends in the US had a wonderful 4th of July!

~Spread Love,
Alisha

Win a copy of Mouse in the Wainscoting

Get your copy of Mouse in the Wainscoting here. Here is the excerpt to get you all warmed up :-)

Hot water cascaded over David’s weary body. He immersed his face in the stream, letting himself become carried away by the sheer joy of being cleaned of the day’s grime. With soap lathered on a flannel, he washed himself. Careful and deliberate, he caressed his weary muscles, rubbed his skin, enjoyed having his own touch across his body.

He dropped the flannel and soap, favouring skin on skin contact.

Soon his hands were at his genitals. He smiled. The water added to the sensation, lubricated his actions, and again, as gentle as he dared, he touched himself, made himself stir. He placed a finger into the mouth of his foreskin, touching his head, sending shivers of delight up his spine and throughout his body. He moaned, working that finger in little circles over his piss slit and down to his coronal rim and frenulum, all the while keeping his foreskin unretracted. He loved the sensation of fingering himself in such a way, his long foreskin stretched right up to the second knuckle of the finger he used to pleasure himself. He knew how he liked it, and in no time at all, he had a full on raging boner. Veins bulging, head as engorged as it ever would be. He smiled. This was beautiful. This was perfect. A man could be his own best friend.

Good thing his foreskin was long, because even in his erect state and horny as hell, he was able to continue his fingering action. His own movement over his head gained in speed and intensity with each passing moment. He closed his eyes tight. His balls tightened and the pangs of ecstasy rose with that wonderful and familiar delight.

With his other hand, he jerked off, still careful not to retract. The inside of his foreskin was just as sensitive and pleasure giving as his ripe head. Both being stimulated in combination was mind blowing, and within several pleasurably heightened heartbeats, shudders of delight consumed him.

In the end, he had to pull his finger out, for his skin was too sensitive even for his own touch. He shuddered some more. His fingers and toes tingled, and nothing would stop him from climax. He was seconds away. His lips, moistened from the water that cascaded all over him, quivered.

David groaned as white, hot ribbons of cum spurted out from his bulging cock. His stomach quivered, his mind overwhelmed by the rush of everything that was an orgasm. Over and over the shower wall was sprayed with his own joy. He was unable to think of anything, do anything, but continue to revel in the rapture his own touch had created.

When spent, he sunk to the floor. .


Or, if you want to try and win a copy, just tell me which gentleman below is the top and which is the bottom :-) In other words, do you think the guy on the left is the pitcher or the catcher? Leave your answer in a comment and I will draw the winner when I have enough entries (winner chosen at random using randomizer software I was told about--thanks Juniper), probably next week.

Here are the two fine men ready for action:


So that's all there is to it :-) Have fun, and above all, BUY my book! LOL Kidding...kidding...okay, I'm serious, buy it. I need chocolate money after my Easter supply ran out too soon! LOL

5 Star Review for Circle City: Lord of the Wolfen ~ Book I

Reviewed by Evie Seo at Bookish Blog

Lord of the Wolfen by Alisha Paige is the first book in the wildly sexy series, Circle City. It's a delightful, spicy and very sensual read, with very likeable and well developed characters. It's a perfect book for chilly spring evenings, it will most definitely keep you warm! The heroin of this story, Zoe O'Brien, is a secluded and lonely widow, who, after loosing her husband and son in a car accident, decides to live far away from civilization. She lives alone in a worn log cabin built on snow covered Alaskan ground. The story starts with Zoe being yanked out of sleep by a wolf howl, followed by terrifying yelping. Convinced that local hunters trespassed on her property to kill a wolf, she pulls on her husband's jacket and runs out in hope to stop them. Instead of hunters, though, she finds a crazed mother wolf, who already killed seven of her pups and is now about to kill the last one. Zoe shoots the female wolf, just in time to save herself from being brutally ripped to pieces. She picks up the pup, cradles it against her chest and brings it home with her, intending to take care of the terrified poor thing. The pup she saved is not just any pup, though. As Zoe learns later, Axl (cause that's his real name) is a Wolfen, one of the People of Wolf, able to shift into a wolf form at will. As a matter of fact, he is the heir to the Wolfen throne. Accused of murdering the Wolfen Clan leader's daughter and kidnapping Axl, Zoe is taken captive by the Wolfen and she's imprisoned in the Circle City. She finds herself in the middle of the war between Wolfen Clan and the Kontar Clan, surrounded by creatures she never knew existed. Zoe's life is about to be changed forever and there's nothing she can do about it. Alisha Paige has written an unbelievably fascinating and captivating paranormal romance. She created an amazing, mesmerizing world, filled with beautiful, sexy creatures, burning desires and steamy fantasies. This book is erotic, fast paced and enthralling. Paige brings the reader into a fantasy world of Wolves and Dogs, a world of passion and eye-popping rituals. Erotica fans will love the sizzling heat of this story! It's one of those books you just can't put down until you've read it all in one setting! I really enjoyed the plot. Even though I am not at all a fan of Erotica genre, I had a lot of fun reading Lord of the Wolfen, it was perfectly balanced and not too overwhelming in it's sexiness. Whether you're a fan of Erotica, or you simply enjoy Paranormal/Fantasy novels, I think you should give this book a try, it really is a great read!

Coming soon sneak peek!

The Hood of Justice.


Synopsis:

Mild, mannered rookie police officer, Casey Watson is dedicated to his job, works long hours and tries to make a difference within his district fighting crime, dodging bullets and leaping tall buildings with a single...well okay, he doesn’t leap buildings, but the rest of it, no worries. Casey is a can-do man, keen and eager to keep the city safe at night. Together, with his rough and tough work partner and good buddy, Bruce O’Connell, they make a great team, always looking out for each other.

But Casey is different...very different.

Underneath the uniform, behind the badge he proudly wears, he has something on his body which is quite, quite special. You could say, he has a super ability, one which Casey himself is just coming to grips with.

He has a magical foreskin.

When he cock docks with any perpetrator, when his foreskin tingles to let him know the criminal he has apprehended is guilty, the magic within his amazing foreskin makes any man tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. What’s more, they forget everything as soon as Casey comes to climax, too. They never stand a chance.

All is peachy until Bruce and Casey are given the job of investigating and interrogating super criminal, Randy Piper. All of a sudden, Casey’s fears come to fruition. Sure, he now has a reputation of being a master interrogator, but not even his partner on the beat knows of his secret. No one must know. Cock docking with criminals isn’t exactly in the manual for standard police procedure, now is it?

If anyone finds out about his foreskin’s abilities, Bruce, the Sarge, anyone, he could be suspended, kicked off the force at the worst. Not something career minded Casey would ever want. But the worst thing of all, the stuff of nightmares for him, is if the criminals themselves found out. A dirty no good for nothing criminal like Randy Piper for instance, the very guy they have been assigned to question. Casey can’t even imagine what would happen to him if a psychopath like Randy ever found out? He’d be in the unemployment line before he even zipped up his trousers.

Can Casey continue to perform his duties while using his foreskins abilities? Or will he have to reveal his secret to not only protect himself, but Bruce as well? Or does Bruce already know? However the night they have to apprehend Randy Piper will go down, Casey will never be the same again. His foreskin is going to do a lot more than tingle, that’s for sure!

The cover is my own creation:-) It will not be used once the publishers cover is issued.

For more information, click the link http://www.markalders.com/the-hood-of-justice.php

A Tiny Taste

(Photo courtesy of photo bucket)

Today I thought I'd give you a tiny taste of my full length paranormal romance, Circle City:Lord of the Wolfen ~ Book I. Wow! Could you imagine feeding a kitty cat like this? Yikes!!!



You can still purchase Circle City for .99 at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The Hour Glass Witch is also on sale for .99 for your Kindle or Nook. If you read either book, drop me a line. I love to hear from readers and promise to write back!

All of my contact information can be found HERE as can information for ordering autographed copies of my books. Click the banner below to go to the Kindle Profile Page for Circle City: Lord of the Wolfen and more links to purchase.



Excerpt for Circle City: Lord of the Wolfen ~ Book I
Zoe stacked frozen venison steaks into the oversized freezer on the back porch while the puppy relieved himself near a frozen boulder. She heard a twig snap then the sound of crunching snow. The puppy didn’t weigh enough to crunch snow and wasn’t near the woods. A chill snaked down her spine. She felt eyes on her. Someone was watching. In a rush of panic, she reached for her rifle leaning against the cabin. A gray blur flew past her. She grabbed the rifle and raised it, blinking, scanning.
Nothing.
And then the puppy was yelping, held in the jaws of an enormous gray wolf. Zoe took a step forward, cocked the rifle. The wolf growled, baring his fangs while the puppy dangled helplessly, kicking like a frenzied jack rabbit. She took another step forward and from out of the woods and rushing from the sides of her cabin, a circle of wolves emerged, all of them growling, approaching with canines flashing.
Huge wolves.
Like the one she’d killed by the creek. Like Jack’s mother.
She blinked and realized in a split second that she’d never kill them all. She took a step backward onto the porch, reaching blindly for the door behind her while she struggled to hold the rifle up with one arm. And then one of them from the left pounced on her and both of them fell into her open doorway. She screamed and fought as the wolf snapped at her throat, spilling blood, nicking her with one sharp canine. Her world swam before her. The panic and fear was all too much. She knew she’d soon die and though it would end her pain, she realized in that final moment of consciousness that she wanted to live.
More than anything.
Jacob’s face flitted through her mind and she felt the sensation of her husband holding her close, breathing into her ear.
Another wolf bounded into the cabin and changed into a man when his feet hit the worn wooden floors. He grabbed the wolf by the scruff of his neck and slammed him against a wall. “I want her alive!”
Lord of the Wolfen turned and growled at the lesser wolf now shaking his head in the corner. “Take her to the caverns,” he ordered.
The wolf nodded in answer and was changed in two steps, now a bulky man with black, spiky hair. He grabbed a quilt off the bed and wrapped the woman carefully. Blood oozed from her neck. He licked it clean and then hauled her over one shoulder. When the three stepped outside, the wolves were now all standing in human form. All of them were men except for the young woman who carried the whining puppy.
Dacien withdrew a wooden flute from his coat pocket and blew three silent notes. From both sides of the cabin came four dog sleds, led by a fleet of rambunctious, glorious, white Alaskan huskies, blue eyed smiling creatures of servitude. Kory took the puppy in his hands and hugged him, breathing in his scent. “We’re going home, grandson.”
The Wolfen boarded elaborate sleds with red velvet covered seats and fastened fur lined hats over their heads. This part of the woods was secluded with only a few homes between Zoe’s cabin and the caverns, but they could not risk being seen as wolves, particularly during hunting season. The few times they’d actually come across people, Kory used his Russian accent and had said they were vacationing in the area. He’d remembered to erase the person’s memory on all but one occasion. And it had been a grave error. The local sheriff had stopped them, looking for some hunters who had reportedly killed two polar bears. And it had been true.
Lord of the Wolfen had killed two of the creatures for the waxing ceremony, celebrating the young males coming of age in the clan. The bears had been the main course for the feast. The sheriff had let Kory go, bidding him a safe trip but the wolf had smelled the man’s disbelief, a scent akin to dry earth. The Wolfen were now being watched and Kory continued to curse himself for failing to hypnotize the man and erase his memory when he’d had the chance.
A fierce north wind blew the snow into their faces, but the dogs knew the way. Night had fallen when they reached the caverns. Dacien leapt from his sled, turning into a wolf in mid air, springing into the cave and down the narrow, freezing pathway that led to the secret snow covered entrance. Upon arrival, he shifted back and unlocked the circular roof, allowing the clan passage into their home underground.
The caverns of the Wolfen were fifteen hundred years old. A mansion beneath the earth with two dozen rooms, housing Lord of the Wolfen, his family, his brothers and their families. It was their loyalty to one another that had kept them alive and thriving for so long.
Tisa’s banishment had been hard on all of them and now her death had plunged them all into darkest mourning. But there was much to celebrate tonight. One of the pups had survived. The woman’s sacrifice to the Holy Trinity would at least now be delayed. She would die for killing Tisa.
But not tonight.
Kory would allow his grandson the grand honor, but first he had to grow into a man.
A Wolfen man.
The Kontar and Ivan would be dealt with soon. And Kory knew just how to punish them all for his daughter’s death.

~Have a Terrific Tuesday!
****Spread Love,
Alisha ****

It's almost time for Cross the Line

Cross the Line is scheduled to be released July 19th and I'm soooo excited. Although my other books get graphic, this is my first actual erotica and I had a blast writing it. I hope you have just as much fun reading it.

Even though it isn't out yet, I'd thought I would offer a little teaser and plan on giving a copy away closer to the release date!

Blurb: Leslie thought she had it all, until Chris showed her the rest. Another move and a bigger paycheck are all Leslie Teague depends on. Living the ‘no strings’ attached lifestyle has always worked for her…until she arrives in Phoenix. She doesn’t like bad boy types of men, so why can’t she keep her hands off Chris Matthews, who also just happens to be her new neighbor? Content warning, this book contains a fulfilled fantasy, adult language, and a life saved.

Excerpt:

I dropped the last box on the brown tiles and worried whether I’d packed anything breakable inside. With my luck, I had. Relieved to be done moving, I was already tired of the new city I called home even though I’d only been in it for a few hours. If I didn’t find something appealing about the place soon, I would be looking into moving again like when I’d wanted to get out of Billings, Montana. Nothing had been wrong with the old place, I get bored easy and like to move around is all.

My new best friend roared to life, blowing cool air from the vents. Ignoring the open front door, I sat down on the box I’d dropped. I did my best to rub the knots out of my lower back, but with achy arms, I wasn’t doing so well. Sweat trickled down my forehead, requiring me to stop my half-attempt at a massage, grab a washcloth from a nearby bag and mop at the sweat. How did people live like this? Why I’d decided to accept the job offer in Phoenix was beyond me. But moving in the middle of the Phoenix summer? Even worse. Now I could understand why Arizona had earned the nickname “the devil’s playground.”

Playground? Not sure that would be the right word choice because I was convinced I’d arrived in hell itself.

A knock on the door made me jump up from the box, making every strain in my muscles and joints become more prominent. The pain quickly faded as a luscious vision in denim leaned against my doorframe, looking sexy as sin.

A shot of heat spread through my body. I had no idea why he instantly turned me on. I didn’t find goatees attractive, wasn’t into the whole tattoo bit, or the almost too tight t-shirt style, but it all looked perfect on this man. This man definitely had the talent to pull off the bad boy look that made women drop to their knees. Me included.

I quickly ran my fingers through my hair. It had once been in a complete ponytail, but was only partially bound by a hairband at this point. I looked like a mess and knew it. What a great way to start out meeting someone so handsome. But that’s my luck and I had accepted it long ago. To make the best of the situation, I wiped my sweaty palm down my jean shorts before holding it out to him. “Hi. My name’s Leslie Teague.”

“Chris Matthews.” He barely touched my hand before dropping it, as if scorched. He cocked his head toward the front of my apartment. “Need help with that truck out front?”

“I would’ve taken you up on your offer a little earlier, but I’m done now.” The lie floated from my lips as if the act came as a second nature to me. I never lied to people and never, ever asked anyone for help. So why did I find myself holding my hands out toward the room full of boxes as if presenting a prize? “Unless you want to assist in moving the mattress to my bedroom?” A few suggestions as to what we could do on that mattress came to mind, but I did my best to keep my mouth shut.

+++

I hope you liked it and I'll talk to you soon,

Wendy Ely

Interview with Jess C Scott!

Please welcome Jess C. Scott and her novel 4:Play to Wicked Thorn and Roses!

Where are you from?

I am originally from Singapore; I currently reside in Maine. I live "in my head" most of the time though...

Do you have a specific writing style?

Whatever feels most natural and right (depending on the character/story/etc.), on a purely intuitive level.

How did you come up with the title?

Goodness, I can't even really remember. It's probably the result of a combination of the following elements: Prince (the musical artiste), the four characters in the title story (4:Play), IM-conversations, Sudoku (the numbers puzzle), and Anais Nin.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The reader is free to take away whatever they like (hehe). I always have things that I'd "like to say", but it's also open to individual interpretation. Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?Well, I guess I have lots of...influences.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Probably Edgar Allan Poe--his works always do it for me, no matter what. In fact, I'm gonna be writing a paper on a comparison between two of his works for one of my literature assignments!

What book are you reading now?

A management textbook, and a book on astrology and psychology. I've also been reading a short story collection (modern fiction).Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?Anything boring/hackneyed/rehashed, I try to keep out. I find balance the most challenging (both in life and writing)--a balance between fantasy and reality, between style and structure, between complexity and simplicity, etc.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Edgar Allan Poe again--I think his works capture the (darker aspects of the) human soul so, so well. A Poe anthology is one of my most treasured items.

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?Internally/mentally/emotionally, definitely. Externally/geographically, not really. Though I would still like to one day satisfy my exploratory need for all kinds of "travel".

Who designed the covers?

I designed them myself and had an absolute blast with the process. Tweaking the interior files were a lot worse (maybe because I had less experience on that end).

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Move--too much reading/writing/sitting around (at a computer especially) is unhealthy.

About 4:Play from website:

Summary of 4:Play: A contemporary cocktail of erotic short stories4:Play captures the deliciousness of sexual fulfillment, the adventure of conquest, and the mystery of unexplored territory.Among these progressive stories, a brother and sister try to make sense of the sexual love they share; a demure young woman encounters an incubus; and two friends strike up a stimulating discussion that acts as the perfect aphrodisiac.With a scope and style that is fresh and compelling, 4:Play dives into the depths of navigating gender, sexuality, and the lines of desire.

If you'd like to win a copy of this exciting novel, leave a comment or ask a question!

Thanks for joining us, Jess!