Q&A Interview with Sidney Ayers, Author of Demons Prefer Blondes

Sidney Ayers, Author of Demons Prefer Blondes,

visits for Q&A at Reviews by Martha’s Bookshelf

By the way - I love your website brand “Sinfully Snarky Paranormal Romance”! And scanning your blog entries made me hungry for breakfast. :-)

SA: French Toast sandwiches are evil, huh? But not as evil as the fudge recipes I used to post.

Q1. This a favorite question I ask authors who write series: When you do a series do you have each book plotted out before you start the first one or do the subsequent books flow from the first book?

SA: Each book is stand alone, so I tend to plot each book separately. However, I do have an idea which characters I want to have their “Happily Ever Afters” with.

Q2. I note that you like to use humor in your writing. Do you incorporate that through visual imagery, dialogue or some other special way?

SA: A little of everything. Dialogue, action, and imagery all combined into a huge smorgasbord of snark.

Q3. You write in several genres. Do you have more than one Work in Progress in different genres? Does this ever get confusing?

SA: Right now I am concentrating on the Demons Unleashed series. I do have several WIPs in different genres that I intend to polish and finish up when I have time. I cannot balance projects well, so I do better when working on one at a time. That’s why I have so many unfinished manuscripts.

Q4. Does your voice change when you write in different genres?

SA: For my erotic fantasy, it didn’t really change. It’s still pretty sarcastic and snarky. The historical I was working on does have a different voice. Sarcasm doesn’t translate well in the Regency time. 

Q5. What kind of research have you done for your Demon series? Did you do anything "hands on" or unusual when researching these books?

SA: Sorry, but I’m a little too chicken to actually do anything “hands on” where demons are concerned. *giggles* For research,  I’ve scanned a few demonology books and websites. I also watched a few of those cheesy paranormal investigation shows. Horror movies, like Omen and The Exorcist are great inspiration too.

Q6. In Demons Prefer Blondes what is something your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying?

SA: She wouldn’t be caught dead wearing pointy toe, high heeled shoes. She prefers the comfort of tennis shoes. She calls them torture devices in the book.

Q7. Do you have an ancillary character that you had the most fun with?

SA: Gerardo, all the way. He’s so very flamboyant and fun. Squeaky holds a special place in my heart too.

Q8.  Do your work career/hobbies/interests influence your writing?

SA:  I am a computer tech by trade. It doesn’t affect my writing, but helps me with saving money hiring a web designer. I also find ways to incorporate my craft hobbies into promo. I made bookmark charms from shrink dinks. Talk about channeling your inner child.

Q9. Do you read for pleasure and if so who are your favorite authors to read?

SA: I’ll  read anything that piques my interest. I am one of those people that will pick up a book just from a blurb alone. However, I did thoroughly enjoy Katie MacAlister’s Aisling Grey novels.

Q10. If you could have readers finish a sentence what would it be? 

SA:  If I could be any demon, I’d be the demon of…

Thank you so much for sharing a bit about your author life with us.

SA: You’re welcome. It’s been fun!

DEMONS PREFER BLONDES BY SIDNEY AYERS – IN STORES JUNE 2011

A Bad Day For A Demon

Rafe Deleon is a senior demon and he resents like hell his assignment to Earth to retrieve the Chest of the Damned before it falls into the wrong hands. But then he meets beautiful, intriguing succubus Lucy Gregory, and she’s just unleashed a whole load of trouble…

Really Sucks For A Succubus

Lucy’s chic suburban beauty salon has suddenly become the Underworld’s center of mass chaos and destruction. The only good thing in a day going rapidly down the tubes is the arrival of a gorgeous demon who’s adamant that he can help her…

But Lucy has quite a few deeply unpleasant—not to mention deadly and hateful—surprises ahead of her, and surely there’s never been a worse time to try out a new boyfriend…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sidney Ayers writes light paranormal and erotic romance. Her manuscripts have won or placed in the MORWA Gateway to the Best, the Valley of the Sun Hot Prospects, the Passionate Ink Stroke of Midnight, the Heart of Denver Molly, and the Finally a Bride contests. She lives in Michigan where she is working on the next book in the Demons Unleashed series, Demons Like it Hot—in stores December 2011. For more information, please visit http://www.sidneyayers.com/.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Ex-Girlfriends United by Matt Dunn

This story is a romantic comedy portraying relationship woes from a male perspective.

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402245041
• ISBN-13: 978-1402245046

Genre: Romantic Comedy
 My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Product Description
Praise for Matt Dunn:
"Full of great one-liners...a terrifying eye-opener into what men really think."-Company

"Witty, astute, but tender too."-Freya North

Ever wish you could let the world know just what you think of your ex?

Thanks to SlateYourDate.com, Dan Davis has discovered that long after he's dumped them, ex- after ex-girlfriend is dumping on him-all over the Internet. And it's ruining his dating life.

Faced with the prospect of a lifetime of singledom, Dan must track down his many exes in order to put things right. Along the way, he discovers he has much to learn about himself. Particularly when he meets up again with Polly-and realizes he wants her back. Can Dan convince his former love he's changed? Can his friend Ed convince him he needs to change in the first place? And can the two friends use their newfound knowledge to help other men in the same boat?

Review: A fun read, if convoluted thinking!
This story is told in first person by Edward who is a likeable, friendly character. He is trying to find balance in his relationship with his new girlfriend, Sam. They seem to be doing well but it is not clear where their commitment level stands.  Ed met Sam, a personal trainer, when he went to the gym after being unexpectedly dumped by his girlfriend of 10 years, Jane.

Ed’s best buddy, Dan, is not so likeable. He is a small time actor and womanizer. All of a sudden he can’t get a date much less any action and he is clueless what has occurred.  He and Ed discover that Dan has gained a horrendous reputation from bad ratings at SlateYourDate.com.

Dan enlists Ed’s help to locate his exes and turn around his rating and his ‘love’ - okay really it’s his ‘lust’- life. Along the way, Dan, who has never committed to a relationship, gives advice to Ed on how to deal with Sam. A bit ironic that!  These seem like unlikely friends as Dan’s view of life is that it is all about scoring and scoring points while Ed ponders issues of partnership, cooperation and commitment. The thought process that Dan presents, and Ed has to argue with, is convoluted, game playing  from a male mind set.

When Ed bumps into Jane and decides to meet with her, without telling Sam up front, he begins to dig himself into a bit of a hole.  Meanwhile, as Ed challenges Dan to face the one really good relationship he lost with Polly, Ed is at risk of losing Sam when she discovers that Jane has been pursing Ed.

The book blurb in the product description isn’t quite accurate, as the story is more about Ed with Dan as a character foil to show the worst of the male ego! The quote that the story is “full of great one-liners” is quite true. There are also some gems of wisdom that come through Ed’s efforts to make his relationship last and his challenge to Dan to face his fear of the pain and struggle that are likely to be part of any relationship.

I enjoyed the easy flow and crisp British humor with the subtle double entendres. It was different to read a romance from a male perspective and nice that the author made it light, fun and somewhat introspective. The ARC does have quite a few typographical errors (more than I usually find) which I trust will be cleared before final print. The story is solidly good entertainment.

xxx

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the book to read and review.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR THE ARC COPY:

1.  Visit the Author's Website and tell me something you like there. Please leave your e-mail!

2.  For two extra entries comment on the Author's Q&A Interview.

3. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

4. For two extra entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

(Six total entries possible.)
It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.

* This contest is open US and Canada only.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on July 1, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.

Q&A Interview with Matt Dunn, Author of Ex-Girlfriends United

Today we say hello to Matt Dunn the author of the fun story, Ex-Girlfriends United.

Q1. How did you get started writing romantic comedy?

MATT:  I'd wanted to write a novel for a while, and I had a rough idea about a group of friends and their relationships, but didn't know where - or how - to start. Then I read Nick Hornby's High Fidelity, and it was a revelation; I thought it was the best, most entertaining book I'd ever come across. Reading that made me think there might be an audience for the kind of thing I wanted to write. So I sat down at my laptop and started typing.

Q2. Is that what you set out to write?

MATT:  Very much so. I basically wanted to write High Fidelity. Six books later, I'm still trying.

Q3. Do you have plans to write any other genres?

MATT:  I'm writing something a little more serious at the moment. It's still a romance, but I'm finding it hard to keep the jokes out of it, so I guess I'd better stick to what I know!

Q4. Do you include personal experiences in your writing?

MATT:  All the time. A frightening amount of the things I write about have happened to me in some way, shape, or form. Though I of course reserve the right to embellish them for comic effect. Even though they may not have seemed that funny at the time.

Q5. What do you like, or dislike about promotion?

MATT:  I like it all. It gives me a chance to write something different, whether it's a magazine feature, something for a newspaper, a short story, or even a guest blog piece. Plus author events are fun - it's great to meet people who like what you write. Remember, for most authors, the majority of the year is spent in a darkened room with just our laptops and the characters we create for company. It's therefore a refreshing change to interact with real people!

Thank you for sharing.
Please see my review and Giveaway of the ARC copy which is posted next.

It's Monday! What are you Reading June 20, 2011?

This meme starts at Book Journey!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I finished five books but only posted two reviews with Giveaways plus one author interview.  I started my Blogoversary and posted three Author Spotlights with Giveaways. There is also an announcement post, the Friday Pick Giveaway; Saturday Comment Giveaway, and Sunday post.

I spent Saturday morning visiting a number of blogs last week not necessarily from Its Monday but various around the blog community.
These were last week's posts plus a Winner post not listed.

•  It's Monday What are You Reading? June 13, 2011.

• Q&A Interview with Meil Cullan McKinlay, Author of From Mason to Minister

• Book Review and Review Copy Giveaway: From Mason to Minister: Through the Lattice; Memoir; my rating 4.25.  Ends 6/24.

• Book Review and Three Copy Giveaway: Beg For Mercy; Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.0; 7/1.

• Let's Party! MBS Blogoversary Extravaganza June 16 - July 15

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #1: Author Cym Lowell; Giveaway (1) $30.00 GC and (2) autographed copy of Riddle of Berlin. OPEN WORLDWIDE; Ends 7/15.

•  Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway June 17, 2011.  Ends 6/23.

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #2: Author Sandy James; Giveaway - Winner's eBook choice of backlist books. OPEN WORLDWIDE; Ends 7/1.

•  Announcement: Luminous Summer Grand Giveaway.

• MBS Blogoversary Spotlight #3: Author Jacquie Rogers; Giveaway - Winner's choice autographed trade paperback book. US ONLY. Ends 7/1.

•  Welcome Saturday Sharing Beyond Books Comment Giveaway.  Open Worldwide. Ends 6/24.

•  Sunday Words of Encouragement June 19, 2011.

 
Finished Reading:
Audible:

Ceremony in Death: In Death, Book 5

by J.D. Robb

I really like this series.
Another good one.
I'll try to get a review squeezed in this week.

Print:

Ex-Girlfriends United

by Matt Dunn

Interesting insight into the male mind view!

Review, ARC giveaway 

and Author Q&A on June 20.

A Sourcebooks review.

"Full of great one-liners...a terrifying eye-opener into what men really think."-Company

Print/Kindle: 

Demons Prefer Blondes
by Sidney Ayers
Fun but I had some problems.
Author Q&A and Review for Sourcebooks 
scheduled for June 21.

Print/Kindle: 
Wish you Were Here
by Phillipa Ashley
This is a very fast, sweet read!

Author Guest Post and Review for Sourcebooks 

scheduled for June 27.

Product Description
Phillipa Ashley is a bestselling author in the UK with over 50,000 copies sold and the kind of funny, accessible British voice that U.S. audiences love.

Jack Thornfield, new CEO, is shocked to see his long lost love, Beth Allen's resume come across his desk. After 8 years apart they have a second chance at happiness in this romantic story about love and secrets.

Print:

The Bedtime Book for Dogs 

by Bruce Littlefield

This is sweet! I will post a review this Wednesday 6/22. Hachette release.

Product Description

Come. Sit. Stay. I want to tell you a story. I think you'll like it. It's about a TREAT and a good dog, a very good dog who wanted to go play. But his friend was busy....

THE BEDTIME BOOK FOR DOGS is a charming story about a dog who decides that he'd rather walk to the park by himself than wait for his human companion-and discovers that all of his usual activities aren't as much fun without a good friend to share them with. This is an adorably packaged book with illustrations by Paul Heath that makes a perfect gift for dog lovers of all ages, with words dogs will understand and kids will want to read again and again. 

Line Edits/Releases:---

Currently reading:

Print:

To Be Sung Underwater: A Novel 

By Tom McNeal

Halfway through- 
impressive writing style!

Giveaway coming soon with the review.

Print/Kindle: 
My Dangerous Pleasure
by Carolyn Jewel
I just started this.
Another 'demon' read. :-)

Review for Sourcebooks.

Product Description
TEMPT THE DARKNESS

Strong-willed and independent, Paisley Nichols is used to taking care of herself. But when an insane mage begins tracking her every move and threatening her at every turn, she has no choice but to put her life in the hands of a demon.

RISK THE PASSION

Burned by betrayal, demon assassin Iskander won't get too close to anyone. He spends his days serving his warlord and his nights indulging in carnal pleasures . . . and that's exactly how he likes it. But when a mage wages a wrenching psychic assault on his beautiful tenant Paisley, Iskander must defend her. Under his protection, she will be drawn irresistibly into his life and learn about her own mysterious powers. And not a moment too soon. The mage haunting her isn't acting alone-and he won't rest until he destroys both Paisley and Iskander.

Print:

The Constantine Codex (Skeleton Series)

By Paul L. Maier

I started this and it gets your attention.

Product Description
Harvard Professor Jonathan Weber is finally enjoying a season of peace when a shocking discovery thrusts him into the national spotlight once again. While touring monasteries in Greece, Jon and his wife Shannon—a seasoned archaeologist—uncover an ancient biblical manuscript containing the lost ending of Mark and an additional book of the Bible. If proven authentic, the codex could forever change the way the world views the holy Word of God. As Jon and Shannon work to validate their find, it soon becomes clear that there are powerful forces who don’t want the codex to go public. When it’s stolen en route to America, Jon and Shannon are swept into a deadly race to find the manuscript and confirm its authenticity before it’s lost forever.

 Audible:

Changeless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel, Book 2

by Gail Carriger

Reading for my own pleasure.
Just downloaded this with one 
of this month's Audible credits. :-)

Product Description

Gail Carriger created a fascinating steampunk vision of Victorian England in her “intoxicatingly witty” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) debut novel Soulless—the first in the best-selling Parasol Protectorate series. Changeless is the second in the series and finds Alexia Tarabotti, now the Lady Woolsey, quite put out after her werewolf husband goes missing. So, armed with her trusty parasol, Alexia boards a dirigible and heads for Scotland to find him.

Audio:
Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success
by Kerry Patterson, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler

This is really an excellent approach to change.For Hachette Review.

Product Description

A stunning new approach to how individuals can not only change their lives for the better in the workplace, but also their lives away from the office, including (but not limited to) finding ways to improve one's working relationship with others, one's overall health, outlook on life, and so on.

For example, why is it that 95% of all diet attempts fail? Why do New Year's Resolutions last no more than a few days? Why can't people with good intentions seem to make consistent and positive strides in the way they want to improve their careers, financial fitness, physical fitness, and so on?

Based upon the latest research in a number of psychological and medical fields, the authors of CHANGE ANYTHING will show that traditional will-power is not necessarily the answer to these strivings, that people are affected in their behaviors by far more subtle influences. CHANGE ANYTHING shows how individuals can come to understand these powerful and influential forces, and how to put these forces to work in a positive manner that brings real and meaningful results.

The authors present an array of everyday examples that will change and truly empower you to reexamine the way you go about your business and life.

Print:

The Vision and Beyond, prophecies fulfilled and still to come

by David Wilkerson

We will be teaching this to the young adult class 

starting in two weeks so I will be reading a chapter a week to prepare.

Editorial Review:

In this compelling release, David Wilkerson brings the reader up to date and into the future. He firmly believes that we are now living in the time the Bible refers to as "the beginnings of sorrows" and that the world is racing toward Armageddon.

I am listening to The Listener's Bible NIV 

read by Max McLean. I am at 2 Kings 1, Proverbs 23 and Acts 18.

Line Edits:
Waiting on final cover for Sword of Virtue by Joy Brooks.

Still I am working on Life After the Undead by Pembroke Sinclair and Soylent Red by Jamieson Wolf.

 

June 2011 Scheduled reviews:

6/27 Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley - Review, ARC Giveaway and Author Guest Post (Sourcebooks) 

6/29 The Constantine Codex (Skeleton Series) by Paul L. Maier - Review and Giveaway (Glass Road PR)

Unscheduled:
My Dangerous Pleasure by Carolyn Jewel (Hachette - Forever Romance)

Taming Rowan by Suzanne Barrett - Postponed to July

The Showboat Affair by Gwyneth Greer (Author) - Postponed to July

A Courtesan's Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan, Celeste Bradley (St Martins)- on hold... and the Bear dog got a hold of the cover... Bad Dog.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day to all you Fathers out there!

Our Pastor did a nice sermon on 'Looking for a Few Good Men.' He summarized Good men according to the Biblical foundation.
Good Men Learn to Lean on the Lord:

• For Salvation - recognize you can't save yourself but must trust in God. 2 Cor 13:4
• For Strength - true strength comes from God. Rom 6:13
• For Supply - which includes wisdom. Phil 4:19; James 1:5

Good Men Learn to Lead:

• They lead their own flesh (controlling their bodies instead of being controlled by them). Gal 5:16-17
• They lead their families - as head of the household. Eph 5:23
• They lead others to Jesus Christ. Prov 11:30

Good Men Learn to Love:

• They love their Father in heaven. 1 Cor 16:22
• They love their wife and children. Eph 6:4
• They love the church. 1 Thes 4:9

If you were not blessed with a good earthly father then look to your Heavenly Father. There is no better place to be than in THE FATHER'S ARMS.

I didn't find a Christian song that I was led to post today.

Instead I found this song that I like for Father's Day.

A Verse for Today:

Ezek 22:30

³⁰ “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.
We prayed that God would not find good men lacking as in the Ezekiel passage above.
I thank my Heavenly Father for my earthly Dad who turned 87 this year.