The Evernighties Weekly Blog Challenge - Week 35

Plots: What period in history and why?

In my writing career I have written a few historical romances. I like finding obscure places in history and writing about them.

First up is The Song Bird. One of my favorite movies is San Francisco with Jeanette McDonald and Clark Gable. I loved the vibe of it had of the Barbary Coast and wanted to write a book set in the early part of the city's history. This book is set in the 1850s, not too long after gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. It's about a woman who travels to San Francisco to find her missing sister, only to realize she'd been working as a prostitute for two men Eli Masters and Jason Braddock.

I am very proud of this book and it won the Readers Choice Award for Best Historical, and was a nominee in the LR Café Best of 2019.

Another historical I wrote was The Scarlet Dove, set in the Arizona Territory in the 1880s. Eliza Trent travels there to be a mail order bride, only to discover that she'd been duped. Two men come to her rescue, but Eliza is no shrinking violet. She's very capable of taking care of herself!

Lawless Hearts is set in Missouri in the 1880s as well, and this time Scharlie is a school teacher whose brother saved her from being molested by their stepfather. Two men show up at her door one night to tell her that her brother is dead, and the man responsible may now be after her.

You can find all my historical books HERE

The Evernighties Weekly Blog Challenge - Week 34

Did you ever make your characters have disabilities?

Of course!

Characters need some type of imperfection to make them believable. Most of the time my characters have emotional disabilities, but I have written a deaf heroine and I've also had an amputee hero.

In my book "Madness Ends", my heroine Kaiya lost her hearing as a child. It was a very challenging book to write because I had to come up with ways of expressing dialogue from her that couldn't be in the normal "she said" tag lines. To accommodate, I had her cousin able to use sign with her plus the hero knew sign.

In "Warrior", the hero lost his leg in the military. He comes back home slightly broken and not fitting in with the MC he left behind. The heroine took his motorcycle and made it into a trike so he could return riding bikes.

I think those books are some of my best work.

Check out Mad Delights and Madness Ends  HERE
Check out Warrior ( and the other Forgotten Rebels MC books) HERE

Blast From the Past - Not Afraid by Elizabeth Monvey

Raleigh Hewes has known Augustus Rains his whole life, and for the past year they’ve been lovers. They’ve kept it a secret because Gus is afraid of what people will say. Not only are they a gay couple in a small town but he is black and Raleigh is white. Raleigh wants to be out and proud, but Gus is concerned since both their businesses revolve around the local market.

After an argument, Raleigh has doubts that their love can last because he’s tired of hiding their relationship. When a storm sweeps over his farm, he’s caught in the eye of a tornado, and Gus races frantically to find the man he loves.

The danger has put into perspective his fears and Gus decides not to be afraid anymore. He just hopes it’s not too late to lay claim to Raleigh’s heart.

What were your source pictures for this cover?

This is Augustus. I pictured him as the Bear of the partnership. Isn't he just beautiful?

Raleigh is a farmer so I pictured him more wholesome - a flannel shirt kind of guy. These men make the perfect looking couple!

Do you think the story is a realistic portrayal of not only a gay couple, but an inter-racial gay couple living in the Midwest?

Absolutely! I grew up in the Midwest and there was a certain expectation of how "men" should act. Tough, athletic, gun-loving and man whores. Those who weren't in any of those cliques were usually baring the brunt of bullies. There was no way Gus and Raleigh would've been accepted in my hometown. I got out as quickly as I could but I can't imagine that much as changed. 

This was part of your "weather disaster" books and Raleigh survived a tornado. Ever have a close encounter?

Oh yes. Whenever we'd have a tornado warning my mom and I had to watch out the windows to see if we were going to be in the path. We had  blankets, flashlight, water and food ready to go with us to our safety area which was this carved out spot under our back outdoor steps. I didn't want to go there because there were bugs and spiders. 

One time I remember watching a play and the sirens went off so all the students crammed into the hallway since it was made of brick. The tornado jumped us so we were okay.

Where can "Not Afraid be bought?

Here are the links: EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING * SMASHWORDS * AMAZON * KOBO

Time Travel Romances!

I grew up reading Zebra historical romances. Anyone remember them? They had this hologram logo in the corner, and they had the best stories on the market. I remember being in WalMart one day looking at the books (I grew up in rural Missouri that didn't have a proper bookstore) and I came across a title that captured me - Timeless Passion by Constance O'Day Flannery. My imagination flew into overdrive...a time travel romance in book form? One of my favorite movies had been "Somewhere in Time" where Christopher Reeves willed himself back in time to find Jane Seymour, the love of his life! And now that genre has come to my favorite line of books? From that moment on, I vowed one day to write my own time travel romances.

Twenty-three years later….

The first time travel book I wrote was set in the 1920s. I loved researching every aspect of that time period, from the fashion to the lingo, to the who's who of the Hollywood elite. I wanted to write something that no one had ever read before, so I focused on the hero. Turns out, the hero wasn't that great of a guy at the beginning, so I took him on this journey... a fish out of water. It is perhaps my favorite book that I've ever written.

Dicen Burke had it all. As lead singer in the world famous rock band, Dark Army, the world lay at his feet. But the path to super stardom warred with a painful past and during a performance the demons haunting him finally descended. Unable to stop the self-destructive path of alcohol and drugs, when he fell, he fell hard.

He wakes up in a world he doesn’t know. The Twenty-first century rocker is now in the 1920’s, lost and bewildered. He’s taken in by Juliet Fox, a beautiful woman trying to be a positive influence in her brother’s wild lifestyle among the Hollywood Motion Picture elite.

Dicen does his best to adapt, and with Juliet by his side, he discovers a world that offers him a clean slate. But when he’s pulled back to the present, separated by time from the one person that gives him a reason to live, will he find a way to push past his demons as well as find Juliet again?

EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING * SMASHWORDS * AMAZON

For my second time travel story I once more went a little different. This time I brought the heroine forward in time, having been struck by lightening, and using that as the mechanism to jump start her journey. She's found by Micah John Reynolds, who's having his own issues and doesn't need the crazy woman he can't seem to forget. I loved researching this book, especially the time period of 1794. The cover is absolutely beautiful.

Micah John drifts through life relying on his ability to count cards in the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas. One bad turn has him owing a hundred thousand to an unscrupulous loan shark, with only a week to come up with the cash. He doesn’t have time for much of anything, except working and worrying.

He sure the hell doesn’t have time for a woman claiming to be from 1794.

Henrietta Knapp is trying to wrap her brain around the fact that she’s out of her time. A bolt of lightning has brought her more than two hundred twenty years forward. Why? She doesn’t know. Not until Micah John appears.

As mistrust and fear drain away, Micah John and Etta find a love that outshines the bad and the ugly. But will they be given the chance to hold onto a happy ever after, or will the lightning strike again?

EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING * SMASHWORDS *AMAZON

My latest time travel (although probably won't be my last) is more of a past-life romance than an actual straight time travel. The heroine had an accident where she hit her head and while in a coma, had this whole different life, where she lived in the early 1900s in a mining town. This story is told in flashbacks when she sleeps, so she sleeps A LOT. In fact, too much. Her brother is worried about her and takes her to an underground fight where she meets the deadly hero. When I asked the cover artist for a haunted look, she certainly delivered!

Bishop Kain has devoted his life to protecting crime boss Sherman Groto, but when he spots Evie at an underground fight, all he can think about is her. He tries to keep his distance, but like a moth to a flame, she’s a siren he can’t resist.

Evie Duncan’s dreams are slowly taking over her life. Every night she falls in love with the man invading her subconscious, playing out scenes from a past life. It becomes harder and harder to wake and leave herdream man behind.

Danger is coming for Evie and her salvation lies somewhere in the truth of her past life. If Bishop can save her, he may be the one man who can bring her into the light…and for once, she might be willing to stay there.

EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING * SMASHWORDS * AMAZON

Here are some other time travel romances:

Vengeful spirits, dark secrets, and an unanswered question haunt psychic medium Rebel Hunter.

Grissom is a small town with dark secrets. When Rebel Hunter, a paranormal consultant, relocates to its outskirts, he unwittingly stumbles upon a mystery decades in the making. After one of his clients vanishes, Rebel is dragged into the investigation by homicide detective Gideon Palmer.

On a forced vacation, Gideon is in the right place at the wrong time, and his downtime is cut short by the disappearance of a wealthy socialite. As he investigates, he finds himself confronted by a wall of silence. The only bright spot is Rebel Hunter, a man of mystery and danger.

Drawn together, their chemistry is immediate, and Rebel and Gideon struggle with their emotions as they navigate the dark twists of the case. Can both men face their own ghosts to help find a missing woman before it's too late?

AMAZON * BARNES & NOBLE * iTUNES * KOBO

A woman in love. A ghost in need. A man possessed.

Evelyn Sheridan is in love with Raritan Manor Ranch’s resident ghost, Quinn, but can only experience his embrace in her dreams.

Quinn VanAlder, who doesn’t realize he’s a ghost, loves Eve and wishes she’d stop saying they can’t be together.

While at the ranch, Alex VanAlder arrives for a visit, and Evelyn’s hopes rise. Perhaps she will be able to have a real relationship after all. Alex, though, has no interest in Evelyn. Yet, every time the house cat, Myrddin, comes around, Alex feels like a man possessed and wants Eve with a passion.

Caught between loving a ghost and putting up with a man who can’t make up his mind, Evelyn is at a loss. Can the magic of the ranch help Evelyn to stop being caught between two worlds?

AMAZON * SMASHWORDS * KOBO * EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING 

The Evernighties Weekly Blog Challenge - Week 33

Online Dating - Have You? Would You?

I never thought I'd be the type of person to do online dating, because there are so many horror stories out there. I am a fan of the ID network and True Crime, so I've seen many, many stories of women who trusted online dating. 

In 2015 I broke up with my boyfriend of 15 years. It had been a very toxic relationship for me, even though my boyfriend wasn't a bad man. We simply were two people who didn't mesh, and after 15 years I was tired of trying to fit a circle into a square peg. 

At 42 I was suddenly single. I've been single before so I wasn't freaking out. Instead I knew I had to figure out why I kept gravitating toward men that wasn't right for me. I seemed to have formed this pattern of finding men that needed my help. I took two weeks off and decided to go back to my hometown of Dexter, Missouri. To rediscover myself. I had a son, but I left him with his dad in order to focus on me. I needed to be selfish for that amount of time to figure out where I needed to head in my life. 

I learned A LOT about myself. I realized that I was an enabler. I found men that had something wrong and I wanted to fix him, enabling him to continue on the bad habits. When I came back home, I knew I wanted someone in my life that I didn't need to hold his hand and "fix" him. 

My friend, Sylvia, told me to check out this dating site called "Plenty of Fish". I thought it was a terrible idea. And she was like, "No, it's fun. All you do is go on dates. You don't need to commit to anything. Find out what men you want to be with." And from that aspect, it made sense. I needed to change pattern, so I decided to try it in order to see what men were out there and what I didn't want in a partner.

I ended up talking to a few men. Went on a few dates, making sure to meet in a public place so I wouldn't feel threatened. And I discovered so many normal men! And as I combed day after day through the lists of men, reading through their profile, it really gave me a sense of what I was looking for. 

In October of 2015, a man by the name of Mike contacted me and I began chatting with him online. After a couple of weeks, I felt comfortable enough to graduate to texting. And then I got sick. I mean, REALLY sick. I lost my voice. I was fatigued. I would work, then go home and sleep. I exsiste din this fog. For a whole week, I didn't go online. I didn't check my phone. I don't think I've ever been that sick before. When I got my strength back, I saw Mike had texted me a bunch of times and I responded. We soon made plans to meet in person and our first date was November 11th at the local Chocolate Factory. And as soon as I laid eyes on him, something came over me and I just knew he was The One. I don't know what it was, but there was this inner shift as if every puzzle piece in my life suddenly aligned. 

Later, he admitted he had the same feeling. 

As a romance writer, I do believe in soul mates, and I have to admit, I think Mike is mine. We dated for nine months, lived together for 3 years, and then we got married and just celebrated our one year anniversary. I love his daughter as if she were mine. He loves my son. We are a wonderfully blended family and I am so in love with my husband.

And it all came about from meeting online.

New Release from Suzy Shearer!

Hello Suzy!  Thank you so much for visiting Written Butterfly with me today!  It’s such a pleasure to chat with you.  So tell me…

   

 1)      What is your writing process? Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants (Pantser) or a combination of both?

This book is the third in a series. Each book’s central character is one of the males in a club. I hadn’t considered writing about Ash this soon, I had in mind a couple of other characters that I felt drawn to. But for some reason Ash wasn’t satisfied and demanded his story be told.

Who am I to ignore a character?

I am definitely a panster – in fact while writing Ash I wrote the chapter where they finally get together first.

     2)      Do you have a ritual when it comes to writing? Example….get coffee, blanket, paper, pen, laptop and a comfy place.

I write in my office. I try to start ‘work’ around 7:30 and work through until around 1pm unless the muse is either demanding or a no-show. Always have a cup of black Chinese White tea on hand and music blaring in the background. My iPod is set on shuffle and I listen to a very eclectic mix of music (everything from Opera, Pop, classical right through to Tibetan throat singing and chants).

     3)      What was your process for coming up with the title and character names?

Titles are always hard for me. I tend to give the MS something simple to start with then often change the name half a dozen times until something just clicks. Often it’s a phrase in the book that kind of sums it all up.

Character names are also hard. When I first started writing I went through all my ancestors and named my characters. Now I’ve ran out of old family names and have to come up with new ones. Because my characters are more mature I search out names from the 50s and 60s.

    4)      What future projects are on the horizon for you?

I have two books with my publisher at the moment. One is in the final edits stage so it should be released fairly soon. It’s a ménage and called Sweet Things.

The other book is a paranormal ménage romance about vampires and mortals called Blood War.

I’ve a number of WIPs including a few more Masters from the Silk Rope Master series that I hope to finish writing by the end of the year or early next year.

They ooze power, control, natural dominance - and sex. They are The Silk Rope Masters.​

None have ever found love but watch out! When they fall, they'll fall fast and hard!

Sophie Laurent, 51, is filling in for her chef brother at Silk Rope when she comes face-to-face with Master Ash. A natural born Dom, Ash (Reyansh) Siddiqi, 53, is club co-owner. A confirmed bachelor, never been in love, never been in a relationship. He takes his pleasures without romantic involvement, and always only at the club.

But when Sophie stepped into the club chef's shoes Ash was caught and he fell hard and fast. He was besotted and acting like a teenager instead of the strong dominant man he was.

Unfortunately for Ash it was obvious Sophie disliked him. His heart broke as he tried to accept her rejection of him.

Ash decides he needs to be the Dom he is – strong and confident, then all he has to do is come up with a way to change her mind before her brother returns and she’s out of his life forever.

Be Warned: BDSM, anal sex, sex toys, voyeurism, flogging, public exhibition

This is an erotic romance. There are explicit sexual descriptions and explicit language used throughout. It will offend some readers.

STORY EXCERPT:

“I think I’d better meet this beauty who has you all in a tizzy.” Ash left the other two and went wandering around the club. He thought he’d wait until around eleven before introducing himself to Sophie. There wouldn’t be as many demands on her time as most would have already eaten and she would be winding down for the night.

A little after eleven, Ash walked through the back door and into the kitchen. Sophie had just put something in the oven and had stood. Stepping back, she bumped into Ash and let out a scream of surprise as he grabbed her to stop her falling.

“Ah!”

“Oh, hell, I’m really sorry. I should have made a noise.”

An armful of stunningly beautiful woman turned her head and glared at him. Those amazing eyes stared directly into his and he caught his breath. He couldn’t take his gaze off her.

She wiped a hand across her forehead. “Merde, you scared me, I didn’t expect anyone in here.”

Ash realized his hands were still full with a thick lush body. With his arms around her, he felt her heart pound from her fright when he’d grabbed her. Now she twisted until he was forced to let her go. He held out a hand. “I’m Ash Siddiqi. Hi.”

“Oh. Sorry about that but you gave me a start. I’m Sophie Laurent,” she replied as she shook his hand, that slight French accent tickling his ear.

There was a look on her face that surprised him. He was used to new people staring at him like they were kind of fearful, but this was something else he couldn’t quite place. Surprise? Dread? Shock?

“How is everything? Jake and Alex tell me your brother is doing well.”

“Yes. He’s fine, although he’s a bit like a bear with a sore head because he can’t get around or do much.”

Calder came in from collecting used dishes in the dining room and nodded hello to Ash. “Evening, Ash. Have a good break?”

Ash nodded as Calder went on, “Chef, do you want me to wash up now or prep for tomorrow?”

“Leave the washing for another fifteen minutes. If you just load up the dishwasher, then we’ll start the prep.”

“Yes, Chef.”

Ash said, “I think I’d better leave you, I only wanted to say hello. If you need anything, just give me a shout.”

“Thank you, Mr. Siddiqi.”

“It’s Ash.”

She merely nodded and turned her back on him. Ash watched as she began sorting ingredients then he left.

The other two are right. She’s stunning! He couldn’t forget the feel of her lush body in his arms. He hadn’t intended to hold her but she would have fallen if he hadn’t. Then his arms had felt plenty of curves and an abundance of padding. And those eyes! Amazing color, a real vivid green surrounded by blue—light to dark on the outer edge. He couldn’t remember ever seeing ones like hers before. Ash went into the club proper and wandered through, but he couldn’t get those eyes out of his mind. She had full lips too—no lipstick, only delicious-looking lips that were a rosy pink color and simply begged to be kissed. Later, he stuck his head into the kitchen to say goodnight, but the place was in darkness and when he glanced at his watch, he saw it was after two in the morning.

Damn, missed her. I’ll catch her tomorrow night.

© Suzy Shearer 2020

A FEW LINKS WHERE TO BUY:

Amazon: https://www.amzn.com/B08F7JS1SB

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com

Angus and Robertson: https://www.angusrobertson.com.au 

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1036559

BIO:

Renaissance woman, best-selling and Award winning author Suzy Shearer writes contemporary and paranormal erotic romances filled with mature and interesting characters. Her books always feature older heroes and heroines; ranging from mid 40s to 60s. The heroines are usually confident plus-sized women who are proud of their curves. Suzy feels it's important for readers to connect.

Suzy also wants her readers to understand just because people are older doesn't mean they aren't intriguing, desirable, open to challenges and willing to experiment. They may be older but not always wiser. Remember sexy isn't just for the under 30s.

A Buddhist and artist, Suzy lives in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW, Australia with one very spoilt dog and two equally spoilt cats keeping her company. When Suzy is not writing, she is usually painting - an accomplished watercolour Artist her subjects range from portraits and animals to nudes and landscapes. She is also a quilter, toy maker, sculptor and potter. Suzy's Art

LINKS - WHERE TO FIND SUZY:                                                         

Website :  http://www.suzyshearer.com

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

Blog:  http://suzyshearer.blogspot.com.au

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SuzyShearer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzshearer

Twitter : https://twitter.com/SuzyShearer

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sooziiis

Linkedin: http://au.linkedin.com/in/suzyshearer

Publisher: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/suzy-shearer/

Publisher: http://www.bookstrand.com/suzy-shearer

Email her at: suzyshearer.author@gmail.com

BOOKS OUT NOW

The Club series The Club: Bound The Club 2: Uncollared The Club 3: Waxed The Club 4: Displayed The Club 5: Submit The Club 6: Unmasked Dark Desires series (each book is a standalone) Whipped Delights       Craving Her Master     Melting Her Dom’s Heart An Artist’s Kiss Elephants and Ever-Afters	The Hunters series A Hunter's Heart - Book 1 A Hunter’s Choice - Book 2 A Hunter’s Challenge - Book 3
The Silk Rope Masters series Steven Jake Ash	Single Titles Daemons Are Forever Build a Love Perfect Three Her Dom’s Secret Past A Wolf's Tale

Coming Soon

Sweet Things

Blood War