Please, if you have to ask me what today’s music influence is, obviously I’m not doing my job as a music pusher.

 

Okay, there is nothing funnier than watching a man who’s twice my size do the Beyonce dance to “All the Single Ladies”. Seriously. It cracks me up. I don’t even have to see him do it now. All I have to do is close my eyes and it’s permanently burned into my memory. Sort of like the SNL skit with Justin Timberlake dressed in a leotard and heels doing backup dancing to Beyonce. If you haven’t see it, you have to see it on youtube.

 

Mattycakes is two years older than me. All my past relationships, I’ve been the younger partner.  I’m fond of older men in relationships. Maybe I’m biased. I just think men who are younger just lack the maturity to have the type of relationship I truly needed and wanted with someone while I was young. I somewhat think that’s the case when an older man rocks the younger woman. It depends on the type of relationship you’re looking for. Let’s face it. Most women are looking for a ring. Most men are looking for bed play. I’m of firm belief that about .5% of men actually look for a wife before they end up with one. They don’t tick the same way women tock. We get to a certain age and we have mothers who nag us and remind us we’re only getting older. Like I don’t realize that when I look at the calendar. I know how to count. I may not be the sharpest tack in the box, but I did learn how to count to a hundred. God help the world if I live that long.

 

Now, with all that being said, and me ruffling up some feathers, because I know I did, let’s get down to the dirty dirty. Younger men.

 

While I never really took advantage of an opportunity to be a cougar (I prefer to be cubbed *grin*) there are some youngins that given the opportunity, I would shove them into a dark corner and hopefully give them an experience they soon wouldn’t forget. Even better, if you can ruin a youngin from thousands of miles away. This status is something dear Hells achieved accidently. (I’m so proud.)

 

This past week I was having a semi-serious convo with Hells which turned to men (all convo’s lead to them eventually, and that’s not a compliment) and she coined a new term without putting much thought into it. This got me thinking- I always write the younger woman to the older man. Should I write the cougar crush?

 

I kid you not. Hells coined “cougar crush” on the Urban Dictionary last week (then I heard through the grapevine that Ter wrote another definition of it, which is referenced in the above hyperlink). Hells (and Ter) has always been brilliant but this was an act of pirate brilliance. The “cougar crush” is when an older woman slightly crushes on a younger man. Usually barely out of his teen years and the crush is never vocalized because you really don’t want to mess with the hassle but he’s pretty to look at and hilarious to talk up. 

In my mind, the “cougar crush” if acted upon could end up with the stage fiver clinger status, and while I might speak for myself, generally older woman don’t want to deal with that mess. In my own writing, my heroines tend to stay far far away from the youngins.

 

Dex is three years older than Kiki.

Ruiz is five years older than Kiki.  Nine years older than Sadie and Kady.

And Ash is just shy of two years older than Sadie.

 

Hm, so let’s hear it. As a reader, what do you prefer to see? Which way does it fall in your own life? What’s some of the tradeoffs from either side? And if you’re a writer, what type are you writing? Have any “cougar crush” stories to share? Pirates are all ears today!

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. I hope Weight Watchers thinks so, because I was reading their 6 Weight Loss Lies and thought: Hmm, sounds a lot like we tell ourselves about writing. So you know what’s next: the top 6 writing lies we tell ourselves. Do any of these sound familiar?

 

1. I need to start writing seriously again.

The whole “writing seriously” thing gives the concept that there will be a time we’re not writing seriously, if at all. An on-and-off mentality. We need to make a commitment to doing it as a lifestyle, not just when it’s convenient.

 

2. I’ll get back on track after this class/Monday/tomorrow/after Christmas

Procrastination is the devil. Persistence is divine. Do it now. Even if you slip, it’s a lot easier to keep going than to wait until circumstances are absolutely perfect to do anything.

 

3. All my problems will be solved once I’m published

Definitely publishing a novel is something to crow about, but it’s not going to change your life like Cinderella. Unless you’re J.K. Rowling. Okay, it’s possible your life and problems will be solved once you’re published, but it’s not likely. I have a feeling even after you’re published, you’re still going to think you write crappy first drafts, that you’ll never think of another publishable idea, and that your characters are not behaving like you want them to.

 

4. Unpublished writers don’t deserve to go to Nationals

Admittedly I say this a lot. I mean, it’s a lot of money. If you don’t come with five or so completed manuscripts, how could they possibly take you seriously? This is fallacy though. This is the perfect place to go if you’re unpublished. Talk about motivation and inspiration—fill up your cup here and write all year. Accept that you’re not published yet and love it. There will come a day when you are published and you’ll be like, “Geez, who knew my unpublished status would be so much more likable?”

 

5. I shouldn’t do anything fun until I finish this manuscript.

Discipline is definitely key, but nobody can write in a box. Get out and get some air. Go watch a movie. Drink some wine with your friends. It’s healthy; and you might be inspired by something. Nobody likes martyrs.

 

6. The faster I write, the more I’ll publish

Pretty sure this only works for Nora and possibly Sherrilyn Kenyon. However, I prefer books from authors where each one feels distinct and new and whole. I don’t think it should take you six years to write each book, but I don’t think writing only one or maybe two a year is a bad thing. Don’t think you’re in some imaginary race. Just write the best you can every day. Slow and steady wins it in the end—and no burn out.

 

What’s the biggest writing lie out there? Which of these are you most guilty of? (Or are you like me and break all of them? *LOL*)

I have to start this by saying my brain is completely fried so I have no idea how this is going to turn out. Cross your fingers and hope for the best.

 

This weekend was my official graduation ceremony. When I started this degree business, my only thought was to obtain that magical piece of paper that would increase my earning potential. A means to improving my future. But I was quite surprised at what earning this degree did for my present. The simple and overwhelming sense of accomplishment took me completely by surprise.

 

I believe it was all those academic people who made it feel all serious and important. They were wearing fancy, colorful robes and whatever those scarfy looking things are around their necks. Some were even wearing funny hats. No idea what that was all about.

 

By the time the ceremony was over, I was feeling pretty damn good about myself. I was wearing this fancy get up and walking with all these intelligent looking people and that fancy pomp and circumstance song was playing. Not to mention the arena full of cheering people. The earning potential thing is still there, but there’s also a new pride in earning this piece of paper while keeping about fifty other balls up in the air.

 

But, and you knew there had to be a “but”, there’s that one ball I didn’t keep up in the air. And that one thing I haven’t been able to achieve. I have NOT finished writing a book. It’s like the cloud hanging over an otherwise perfect weekend.

 

Before this weekend, I’d already decided to attempt the NaNoWriMo adventure during the month of November. 50K words during November. If I hit the mark, it should put me somewhere around the black moment and then there’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to write THE END by Dec 31.

 

It is my belief that when I finish this book, I’ll experience a similar feeling of accomplishment to the one I felt this weekend. It’s like a high to which I could easily get addicted. I’m guessing eventually I’ll want a stronger high only achieved by being published. Then there’s the high of seeing your cover for the first time, finding your book on the shelves, hearing people say they’ve read it and liked it.

 

For those of you who have finished MSs, what did it feel like to get to THE END? What do you think will be the coolest part of being published for you? Do you imagine what your covers will look like or do you look forward more to receiving feedback from readers? If you’re a reader, what are the big events of your life that have given you the most satisfaction?

Blog AKA: Now where did I put my nerd?

I couldn’t have lost him already. Where was he?

“What is she doing? She’s lost her ever loony mind tearing up my ship like this!”

I threw the feather boa over the basket and it drifted away in the wind. I shoved my hair out of my face and shot a look down below. “I heard that, Hells!”

“I’ve never know you to lose a man, Sin!” Lisa snickered as she stroked the cannon. “Losing the magic touch?”

“Bite me!”

“That’s what Ranger said last night!”

I made a rude sound in the back of my throat and dove head first into my trunk. Little bits of satin, lace and spandex flew over my head as I looked for the one thing I was missing.

And not my mind, if that’s what you were thinking.

As suddenly as I misplaced it, I found it. This wonderfully bright orange sticky note crumpled in the very bottom of my trunk. I whipped it out and squealed. The pirates below groaned and covered their ears. Haters.

“That’s what you’ve been looking for? You gotta be kidding me. It’s not even a man!” Bo’sun crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes. “Hells, you pulled me away from hottie auditions to watch this clown look for a piece of paper? Un-freakin-believeable.”

“Hey!” I grabbed for the ropes and slid down to the deck. “Finding hot nerds is like finding a unicorn. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work.”

“And you needed a piece of paper for that?” Lisa snorted, “Wench, please. I’ve seen you eye a nerd at 200 yards. You don’t need a piece of paper for nothing.”

Marnee ripped the piece of paper from my fingers and turned her back to the rest of us. “Wow. These suck.”

Hal laughed, “Whoa, that was cold, Marn. Lemme see.”

They both laughed. The rest of the pirates gathered around.

“You suckat this.” Hellie patted me on the head. “But that’s okay. Practice makes perfect when it comes to eye candy.”

“Yeah. Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Okay, now that I’ve put some nerds out there, what nerds did I miss this fine nerd hottie Sunday?

I just recently returned from a five day mini-vacation, visitin’ me DH while he was workin’ near Rochester, NY. He managed ta get a few days off and we did some tourist things. And when he worked, I did some meanderin’ on me own. As well as the time in me hotel room, readin’. I visited a local bookstore and found a copy a’ Witches & Pagans Magazine. Bought it, course!

 

And there be an article ‘bout a woman from Ireland, born in 1867, who were fairy touched. Came ta America, me own part a’ the west coast even! This article, were written by a Druid livin’ in Carmel Valley, not far from me. I even met Mara Freeman when I took a daylong class on Bridget some years ago. (Go all the way ta the east coast ta read ‘bout someone I know on the west coast…) She wrote ‘bout Ella Young in the magazine and I found meself thinkin’… “What a wondrous thing ta write ‘bout… I could do this, create a fairy-touched heroine livin’ south a’ me…”

 

Me imagination weren’t on vacation, if’n ya get me drift! The article be called “One with Beauty – The Luminous Life of Ella Young”. I’m gonna do me some research and see if’n I can borrow enough ta write somethin’ that fits me voice…

 

Me first vacation inspiration!

 

Now, I don’t write historicals, but I found several inspirational locations where I thought ta meself, “Chance, if’n ya were a’ the historical persuasion, this would make an interestin’ story location. Or even a contemporary.”

 

One were a quaint little village alongside the Erie Canal. Folks rent barge boats and tour the canal. This seemed a likely settin’ fer a fun contemporary. Place an unlikely couple aboard one a’ these rented floatin’ rooms…and viola! And picturesque at the same time!

 

The Erie Canal, now that seemed like a loverly local fer a historical. An American historical. And ta see the canal, visit the locks, foller it’s path…very interestin’ bit a’ Americana. And picturesque!

 

Now, the DH and I did the Niagara Falls tourist thing. It were impressive. Loud…busy. Took the Maid of the Mist ta the foot a’ the Horseshoe Falls. OK, too many movies been placed here. It’s pretty, but I don’t see a book here.

 

But! When we left the crowds behind and visited Goat Island, jus’ a touch above the American Falls, I were charmed. Me tiredness (from walkin’ all over the Niagara Falls tourist attractions) drained away and I found I could breathe. The mist from the top a’ the falls drifted over us… It were later in the day, the sun had come out…

 

Then we visited Three Sisters Island, a bit up river off a’ Goat Island. Foller me? And as we strolled out over one small bridge after another, further out ta the Niagara River…I were captivated. Walkin’ towards us were three ladies in bright red gowns, three gentlemen in black suits wit’ em. A wedding! At the furthest island, were the bride and groom, bein’ photographed.

 

We lingered, such a romantic place! I thought, “This be a wondrous place fer a weddin’!” (Evidently, ‘tis popular also. Another bridal party were waitin’ their turn when we left.)

 

We read the story behind the islands. The three daughters of a general from the War of 1812…Asenath, Angeline, and Celinda-Eliza Whitney. And me imagination started ta fly. “Asenath…what an interestin’ name. Three sisters, three islands, the roar a’ the river, 1812…what could I do wit’ this… Witches. Or magic a’ some sort… Water spirits…the energy a runnin’ water. Positive ions…”

 

Aye, me imagination been spinnin’ wit’ these thoughts since I paused ‘longside this river, durin’ me vacation. Nah, I ain’t started writin’, haven’t even started throwin’ tagether much more than some thoughts…but it were sweet ta find stories spinnin’ from the locations I visited.

 

How ‘bout you? Do ya visit places, read names, find inspiration in landscapes, scenery? Anythin’ that takes ya from yer normal routine? Are all yer snippets born in yer own neighborhood? What da ya think a Asenath? Don’t it just cry out fer a story? Ever found local connections where ya weren’t expectin’ them? Like fate jus’ reached out and touched ya, smacked ya up alongside the head, saying, “Pay attention! This needs writin’!”

 

Yes, I know Nora did a trilogy wit’ three sisters or three islands. I think it were three islands…three somethin’s! (I read it, but it’s been awhile.) And I can’t help but wonder, did she visit this place…?

 

In keeping with the Revenge’s anniversary (and because Scuttles are lazy butts), I’ve made off with one of my favorite interview segments of a popular show.  J Perry Stone–author extraordinaire, selfless philanthropist and fabulous cook–has been gracious enough to sit in the hot seat as I pummel her with my ill-gotten gains … uh questions. 

 

So, without further ado, let’s begin. And pay attention because you’re next.

 

SB:  What is your favorite word/s?

 

JPS:  I’m partial to “The End.”  I also like “Oh God” for the exact same reasons  

 

SB: What is your least favorite word?

 

JPS:  “No.”

 

SB: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

 

JPS:  Optimism, generosity and open minds.  I also like wine, but that only works for the emotional part.

 

SB: What turns you off?

 

JPS:  When people aren’t open to solutions.  I have some relatives who say, “I can’t”, ”She can’t”, or “We can’t” to every damn thing.  Makes me want to rip my hair out.  I even hate a hint of the same attitude, and in another language.  C’est pas possible.   Seriously.  Shoot me now!

 

SB: What is your favorite curse word?

 

JPS:  sonofabitchmotherfuckershitdamn.   What can I say?  I’m a greedy curser. 

 

SB: What sound or noise do you love?

 

JPS: The garage door opening—husband is home, the oven timer buzzing—dinner is ready, the kids giggling—they aren’t fighting, the cat purring—speaks for itself, the TV clock counting down—24 is on, and Christmas carols.  

 

SB: What sound or noise do you hate?

 

JPS: The sonofabitchmotherfuckershitdamn alarm clock.  And also, the kids fighting.

 

SB: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

 

JPS: I already know I’m a good teacher, but I think I’d also make a great travel-for-a-living-pick-up-cool-tchochkes-for-an-import-business person.  Is there a name for that?  Tchochker? 

 

SB: What profession would you not like to do?

 

JPS: Without question … Scatology. 

 

SB: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

 

JPS: “That’ll do.”

 

Now you.  Copy and paste the Lipton questionnaire in the comments section and answer for yourselves.

 

What is your favorite word?

What is your least favorite word?

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

What turns you off?

What is your favorite curse word?

What sound or noise do you love?

What sound or noise do you hate?

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

What profession would you not like to do?

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

 

Happy second anniversary RWR. I have enjoyed every minute aboard the ship and have wonderful friends because of this opportunity. Now enjoy this little show of affection because it’s not going to happen again for another year.

*****

I sighed. “Really? Dishing on the NYT life? You make it sound like I’m high society now.”

Sita crossed her legs and leaned forward. “At least pretend for me that you have some class now that you are famous.”

“I’m going to pretend like I didn’t hear that only because I am not famous, Sita!”

“You’re so in denial. Have you been to your fan websites? Every day there is at least a dozen new fan fiction stories posted about Ryla, Cass and Fallon. You’ve hit the big time.”

“Gah, it’s like talking to a brick wall with you.”

“Pot meet kettle.”

I flipped her off and crossed my arms over my eyes.

Booty Magazine (Sita): Nika, so great of you to have agreed to this interview! I hear you’re big on music. So first things first, what’s playing on your iPod right now?

Nika Riley: “Cold” by Crossfade. It’s Kiki Michaels, my current heroine in Double Vision, theme song.

Booty Magazine (Sita): Does music play a pretty big role in your writing?

Nika Riley: I would say yes. Music is the key to my creative well being. All of my characters have theme songs. All of my scenes have individual playlists even if it’s only a few songs. Music is my Zen.

Booty Magazine (Sita): I heard through the grapevine that you majored in journalism in college. Is that what pushed you to become a fiction writer?

I snorted. “You gotta be kidding me. You’re not actually going to put that as an actual question in the magazine, are you?”

“You knew what you were getting yourself into asking me to interview you. Deal with it.”

I took a deep breath and tried to settle into my writer persona. I looked over at Sita and offered the biggest fakest smile I had ever accomplished. It made my face hurt. “I had a best friend I wanted to kill and the only way to do it legally was to write her in a book and off her.”

“Gimme a break. You love me.”

“That’s debatable.”

“Just answer the question.”

Okay. I was a big girl. I could do this.

Nika Riley: “I’ve always enjoyed fiction. I was consumed with the reading bug early on in my life and since I’m prone to daydreaming there was always a story or two running wild inside my head. I suppose it was only a matter of time before I realized maybe I was supposed to be writing fiction instead of just reading it.”

“You effectively avoided the journalism question.”

“I plead the fifth.”

“You can’t plead the fifth in an interview. It’s unconstitutional.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): You didn’t start truly working on At First Taste, the first book in your Blood Wars series, until just a couple of years ago. Did you work on other fictional outlets before you started this series? Anything gathering cobwebs underneath your bed?

Sita grinned like the Cheshire cat.

“That was below the belt, babe.”

“Only because you don’t want to admit you’ve been writing since you were a teenager.”

“Ms. Yount’s English class crap doesn’t count.”

“I’m not talking about that.”

I had a bad taste in my mouth. I was in a hell of my own creation.

Nika Riley: “Yeah, AT FIRST TASTE was a fluke accident while I was working on a fan fiction story at Halloween. I heard my heroine, Ryla, telling me about her life as a captive when she was a kid and couldn’t get it out of my mind. Obviously that story line wasn’t suited for a fan fiction story involving bounty hunters.”

“While, everyone writer has a novel underneath their bed gathering cobwebs, I have two. Three years ago, I got this overwhelming urge to pick up a pen and write. I’d just finished reading, ELEVEN ON TOP by Janet Evanovich, and was determined to write something between the heroine, Stephanie, and the reluctant hero, Ranger that suited me.  One little chapter turned into about 80,000 words. From there, I wrote about 25 stories under a fan fiction pseudonym.”

“You didn’t talk about the sci-fi fantasy book you were working on out of high school. Dude, it was classic.”

“Classic crap. Next time we have a bonfire, it’s getting pitched in.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): Interesting. So, I’ve heard rumors of an upcoming tour.

I leaned up from the hammock. “How did you hear about that?”

She shrugged, “I read it on a fan site.”

I blew out a breath and laid back down. There was no such thing as privacy anymore.

Nika Riley: “The tour dates were finalized this week and I couldn’t be more excited! Some of my fans have been with me since my first fan fiction chapter. It’s truly a blessing to have such great fans.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): Talk to me a little about how each of these places inspired your books. What is it about Phoenix that captures At First Taste? I got a preview look at Double Vision and was pleasantly surprised to learn the story has been set in Columbia, Missouri. Any particular reason for setting the story in a small town?

Nika Riley: “It’s more character driven moments that capture each location for me than plot oriented. In DOUBLE VISION, the story is based off a family- three of the Michaels’ sisters in particular- who were born and raised in Missouri. I’m from Missouri, grew up loving everything about country life but always wanting to get out of the small town. Kiki grew up knowing she didn’t want to stay and was going to get out as soon as she was old enough. Kady grew up knowing she was being groomed for something more than a sedate country life and Sadie spent her time daydreaming in hay fields never thinking about more than one day at a time. The sisters are so very different from one another and Missouri is a state that is in constant change from the seasons, the beauty of the first thaw in the spring, the blistering humid summers, the breathtaking colors of autumn, and the crisp arctic air as snow falls gently from the sky in winter. I just wanted that to reflect in their personalities.”

“In AT FIRST TASTE, the main thing I wanted to capture the complete antithesis of change. These characters are Otherworldly, unchanging for centuries, customs old and barbaric. Cold, unfeeling, impersonal. I wanted to convey all this through imagery of barren landscape from harsh temperatures and the only way I could do that and still keep a little piece of reality was to mesh it with my idea of the desert. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world without being ostentatious and that’s the way the Otherworlders live.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): You have a bit of a mysterious and hard to crack reputation. What the readers of Booty magazine really want to know is what kind of life are you out living in-between writing these bestsellers that gives your story such a real feel?

“Sita,” I warned. “I told you…”

“Just go with it.”

Nika Riley: “A writer’s life is mostly spent in solitude with your thoughts to keep you company. The only way to actually write about life is to live some in-between all those nights spent staring at the computer screen.”

“I can’t believe you expected me to answer that.”

“Miracles do happen.”

“Not in this lifetime.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): Since it’s obvious you’re going to keep your air of mystery, how about throwing your readers a bone. Do any of your personal preferences translate to your characters? Do you write the romance you have in your life or the romance you’d like to have in your life?

“Oh hell.”

“Oh, c’mon, it’s hardly a taboo subject.”

Nika Riley: “A good friend once told me: Write what you know. Write what you love. And write about who you loved and lost. Writing relationships, regardless if it is a romantic relationship or purely physical, is mostly about role playing inside your head. It’s not about being the school teacher to the student, or client to the stripper, or captive to the pirate. It’s about that brief second in time; you have the opportunity to completely fulfill everything you’ve ever wanted with a few brief strokes of your fingertips on the right keys. What I enjoy is taking advantage of that opportunity not necessarily because it’s a reflection of what I’ve had or what I would want, but simply because I enjoy pushing buttons.”

Sita sat the paper down and laughed. “I hate when you avoid questions.”

I gave her a look that said I really didn’t care. “What did you just tell me at the beginning of this interview? Deal with it?”

“I really dislike when you toss my own words back in my face.”

I shrugged. “Learned from the best, babe.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): Don’t we all like to push some buttons. Talk to us about the difference between emotional mindsets of the Double series and Blood Wars. You write characters that definitely aren’t afraid to push some boundaries.

“That was sweet, Sita. Did you just give me a compliment?”

“I can play nice sometimes. Unlike some people I know.” She gave me a look.

I flipped her off. “I wake up in the morning thinking about playing nice. I get an A for effort, right?”

“Keep dreaming.”

Nika Riley: “Each series is different for me emotionally. Nothing about Otherworlders are human like because they don’t feel the same sort of emotional attachment to one another. Writing that separation is a challenge because being human myself, emotional attachment is unavoidable no matter how hard you try. So while writing the Blood Wars books, it’s a constant battle for what I want to write, and what needs to make it to the page. When you flip the coin back to Kiki and Sadie, I have the opportunity to write about emotional redemption and second chances. Everyone deserves a chance to right an emotional wrong in the past and a guilty conscience is a great motivator.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): Alright, I’m dying to know more about Sadie and Kiki in Double Vision. I think all the readers will want to know more about the dynamics between them.

Nika Riley: “Sadie and Kiki have a unique relationship as sisters. When I first started the Double series, the story was of Sadie, a sister dealing with the gift of precognition during her REM cycle. It gave me the opportunity to write about a heroine who had completely shut herself off from any sort of emotional life for fear she was psychotic. In the beginning of DOUBLE VISION, you’re faced with her day to day life and how she copes with it as her imaginary world comes crashing down.”

“I had a parallel story I was working on that involved a thief by the name of Kiki, who was looking to go legit and live a normal, respectable, somewhat law abiding life. Once DOUBLE VISION evolved more in my head, I threw Sadie and Kiki together as sisters knowing that they could offset and keep each other from going past redeemable characters. Kiki keeps Sadie grounded in a life where she sees nothing but death. Sadie keeps Kiki from becoming too cynical and distant about living life.”

Sita looked up at me. “Why does Sadie and Kiki’s relationship sound a bit like ours?”

I grinned. “When you can’t make it up, borrow from real life.”

“Great. I don’t know whether to be flattered or pissed that I didn’t realize it when I was reading the book.”

I laughed, “That means I’m an awesome story teller.”

“Whatever.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): Well I must say Nika, you’ve certainly given your fans something to look forward to. I personally, can’t wait to get my grubby hands on your next installment of your Blood Wars series. Can you reveal the title?

Nika Riley: “The second book in the Blood Wars series has yet to be released yet; but in honor of my first interview- SECOND NATURE.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): Second Nature, I like it. Can you tell us how many books you have planned for the Blood Wars?

Nika Riley: “As of right now, there are three planned books of the Blood Wars, with the option of three more depending on the sales.”

Booty Magazine (Sita): Then let’s drink to all six making it to the shelf! Look for Nika’s genre bending novel, Double Vision, coming out soon in a bookstore near you.

I want to thank you for granting us access to your wonderful ship here, RWR pirates and thank you to Nika for giving us a sneak peak at all things Nika. Until next time, this is Sita saying rock some ships, and steal some booty and raise the Jolly Roger- now where’s my rum?

Any questions for Ms. Nika Riley that you didn’t get answers for? Do you enjoy when an author writes two different genres or prefer when they stick to one thing and perfect it?

PS. I just want to say a huge thank you to my BFF in real life, Manda, for really bantering back and forth as if we were really doing an interview for a couple of days. I heart you, babycakes. Thanks for always believing in me no matter what the situation and making me buckle down and do this.

Now, someone turn up the music and let’s have us a party!

Crew and maties! Raise a tankard and shout three Huzzahs for the return of Kimberly Killion, author of Her One Desire (you remember, the wicked cool historical with the daughter of the High Executioner and the Scottish Spy). Guess what? Finally after months and months (and months), her second novel is now on the shelves: Highland Dragon. And best of all, she’s here to bring eye candy (see below) and talk heroes!

*           *          *

Ahoy mateys!

I’m so bloody thrilled to be back aboard the ship! I love me some landlubbers and all, but I’ve gots ta say, I’ve been itchin’ to spend some time with Hellie and the crew.

I talked to Jack about a topic for today, and after much debate (I won) we decided to talk about heroes. Now, you’ve got your pirates, your vampires, and your firemen, but since I’m partial to the braw Scotsman, I want to focus all my energy on him today. You’ve got your page and squire, your kinsmen and womanizing sidekick, but, really, who is the Big Kahuna of the Scots? That’s right, The Laird! Oh, you’ve got to love him. He’s bold, and arrogant. He’s wicked and demanding, but deep down, he’s gentle and sensitive. And who do you suppose can get inside the laird’s head? Oh, aye! The heroine.

Now, before we get all tied up here…

“Hellie, pass the rum.”

“Much thanks.” *wipes mouth on the back of her sleeve and passes the bottle*

In my second release, HIGHLAND DRAGON, I’ve got me one fine braw Scot, and you guessed it, Laird Calin MacLeod has a sensitive side. You see, he’s been betrothed to this fiery lass since she was but a wee bairn. The problem is, she’s the daughter of the evil bloke who murdered his father.

“Damn!” *Hellie takes a swig, eyes wide and attentive.*

So, you guessed it…Laird MacLeod is a tortured soul, but he ain’t seen nothing yet. This wench pulls, yanks, and jerks on his every last nerve, but she a smart lass indeed. She makes demands of him.

“What kind of demands?”

Well…here’s an excerpt:

*****************

“If ye intend to take liberties on my lips prior to our union, I would request that ye bathe with soap a minimum of once a sennight. Starting this day.”

He snorted loudly at her blatant insult. “M’lady, are ye implying that I smell?”

“I am implying naught. I am telling ye that ye stink.” Akira batted her thick lashes at him. “And this—” she tugged roughly at his beard, “—I fear may be infested. If ye’ve any inclination of kissing me prior to our vows, then your beard will need to go as weel.”

Calin’s eyes widened. “M’lady, a Highlander without a beard is as rare as a sheep with nay wool. I have nary a doubt, ye are testing me.”

Akira crossed her arms over her chest and raised both brows to challenge him.

“Ye cannae be serious. Ye want me to…shave. The bath is acceptable, even desirable at this point, I admit. But the beard? ’Tis a most unreasonable request. Ye cannae ask this of me.”

“Then ye refuse?” She shot him a contrived glare to reflect her stubbornness.

Calin stroked his beard, contemplating briefly. “I’ll not do it. I refuse.”

*****************

Now…I’ll give you and the crew one guess as to what my boy decided to do. *wink*

But, I’ll not ruin the story by giving away too many secrets. You’ll just have to pick up HIGHLAND DRAGON and see what happens.

So, let’s hear from you all…What is your favorite type of hero? Is he a braw Scot or are you partial to those bloodsuckers?

I’ll be in and out as I’m driving home from Chicago, but I’m hoping my first mate, Megan Kelly, will man the helm so I can play with ya’ll.

Time for book pimpage:

Check out my award-winning novel, HIGHLAND DRAGON.

Secrets and lies have a price that must be paid in blood through the generations. In medieval Scotland, Laird Calin MacLeod must choose between avenging his father’s death and surrendering to the passion he finds in the arms of his enemy’s daughter.

Visit Kimberly Killion’s website for contests, excerpts and more: www.kimberlykillion.com

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Best of all, Kimberly is giving away a copy of Highland Dragon to one commenter. So pour a drink and start dishing about your favorite heroes.

Coxswain hal [adjusts her feather boa and tiara, plops down onto the deck, and pouts] Of course, my interviewee is late. She stood me up, I just know it.

 

Marnee [sits down beside her and offers to share her rum.] I’m sure she’ll be here. She’s just running behind. The ship is hard to find sometimes – there was that storm and all last night. Maybe we drifted off course.

 

Cap’n Hellie: We did no such thing. I would never let us drift off course [she stumbles over and falls on top of Hal as the boat pitches]

 

Hal: Hey! Don’t break my tiara! I have to look pretty for my interview!

 

Sin: [snorting and throwing back the rest of her drink] Honey, she isn’t coming. Just face it, you got stood up. Chance! Where are more drinks?

 

Chance: [scurrying over, her face shiny with excitement, a pitcher of something blue and frothy in her hand] Okay, I got it. The perfect drink for losers who get stood up. It’s blue, it’s sad, it’s a little bitter, but a little sweet too.

 

[cups are being passed around, as the pirates toast Hal’s bad luck of getting stood up by her author to interview]

 

Cap’n Jack: [saunters onto the deck, re-tying his swashbuckler] Uh, were you pirates looking for some author chicky with brown hair? Cause I found one.

 

Hal: [lurches to her feet, desperately trying to straighten both her tiara and feather boa at the same time] Cameron! There you are! Where have you…..[narrows eyes at Jack, and then looks closer at Cameron with her smudged lipstick and mussed hair]. Wait a minute. You found the ship okay?

 

Cameron: Sure. You were right where you said you’d be.

 

Hellie: [jumping up] See! I told you I wouldn’t go off course! [spins to Jack] And you! You and I have some things to discuss, mister. I told you, you can’t just kidnap our guests. It sets a bad impression [lecture fades as Hellie grabs Jack by ear and drags him below to her cabin to continue, uh, reprimanding him. Yeah, that’s what she’s doing down there]

 

Cameron: [blows a kiss at Jack and looks a little forlorn that he’s gone.] Okay, so who’s doing this interview? And where can I get one of those drinks? I need to rehydrate.

 

Hal: [scurrying around, getting a drink for Cameron, generally gushing] Oh, I’m just so glad you’re here. I have all sorts of wonderful questions for you. I just love, and I mean LOVE, your new book. [crams drink in her hand] So Cam, oh, can I call you Cam? [barely waits for amused nod before rushing on]. Okay, Cam, first question, tell us about FALSE MOVE. I just loved it, I mean really, loved it.

 

Hellie: [watching Hal trip over herself, leans over to Sin] Do you think she was a cheerleader in high school?

 

Sin: Had to be. [slight shudder] She’s not going to break out the pom-poms is she?

 

Hellie: God, I hope not.

 

Hal: Shh! Let her answer!

 

Cameron: [looking around with a slightly ‘what have I gotten myself into’ look] Well, FALSE MOVE is a romantic thriller of sorts. It features a woman named Naomi who is forced to take matters into her own hands. When she’s told her CIA husband stole weapons and was selling them on the black market, she doesn’t believe it. But he’s dead, and she’s the only one left to clear his name. She spends six years undercover for the British as a black-market weapons facilitator, and after sacrificing so much, she’s to the point where she can hardly bring herself to care anymore. But she’s in too deep to get out, and when she finds the weapons up for auction in Belfast, she’s sure she’s found his killer, and this whole thing will be over.

 

Hal: [eyes wide] Wow. So she does it? Finds the killer and avenges her husband and lives happily ever after?

 

Cam: Uh, no. When she gets to Belfast, it’s her husband selling the weapons.

 

Hal: [gasping, eyes wide]. Holy crap! He wasn’t dead!

 

Cam: [grinning]. Nope. So that’s where the story starts. Naomi has to figure out who to trust and what’s real and what’s not, and of course, there’s lots of hot sex, and a few good torture scenes to balance it all out.

 

Hal: And you’re working on the sequel now, right?

 

Cam: Yes, featuring Josephine, a secondary character in FALSE MOVE. At the end of the novel, she goes to prison. So WHITE LIE, Josephine’s story, starts with her being moved to Spain. The Spanish government wants her to go undercover into a terrorist group to foil a bomb attack. She’s a prodigy with explosives, after all. And there’s this hot Spanish cop she’s stuck with. And she drives him nuts. He can’t decide if he should throttle her or…

 

Hal: Well, this is a romantic thriller after all. We know what the hot Spanish cop does to Josephine [sassy smile]. What’s his name? The cop?

 

Cam: Luken Ibarra. And he looks like Clive Owen, with that dark hair and brown eyes and a sexy accent. Mmmm.

 

Hal: Wow, he sounds hot.

 

Cam: Oh, he is. Luken is very hot. [takes a drink] Hmmm, this is a little odd tasting. It almost makes me sad to drink it.

 

Hal: Yeah, it’s the losers’ drink. Cause we thought you stood me up.

 

Cam: [gasp] Never! I would never get on a pirate’s bad side!

 

Hal: Well, since we were so late getting started, let’s see if the rest of the crew has any questions for you. How about it pirates? Any questions for Cam before she disappears with Jack again?

I love extra days off of my landlubber job. Columbus day is a wonderful excuse to take off an extra day to celebrate adventurers who’ve dared to defy gravity and countries to explore and conquer new horizons. Brad Pitt- ala Achilles in Troy- could conquer this horizon anytime he wished.

Anyhoo…

Since most historical conquers were not HOT by any means, I’m making it up for today’s hotties blog.  So turn a blind eye if you must, but we’re going to pretend those men who were lacking in the looks department can be replaced by Hollywood’s rougher, prettier version.

So while there are quite a few conquerors throughout history, I say today we take the opportunity to give these men a fresh new face. Anyone wanna give it a shot? I’m think Gerard Butler makes number one as my favorite man to use as a historical conqueror. He’d make a kick ass Julius Caesar.  He’s just got that look.

And I’ll give Mr. Orlando Bloom the role of recasting Christopher Columbus.

And since tomorrow is a day where someone sailed into the sunset and founded a new world, I will concede to put up Capt’n Jack. He is a legend in his own right. This is a bit how I imagine him when he’s on the ship. He’s kinda hot like that.