All during the month of December, the members of the Slash & Burn blog will be giving away books to our readers. To enter to win, all you need to do is visit the blog regularly, read the posts just like always, and be on the lookout for the holiday photo to the left. This photo will let you know at first glance that there’s a contest happening.

Good luck to those of you who frequent the blog and happy holidays to you all!

Please welcome Jet Mykles to the blog, author of the Heaven Sent series(and many, many others). Thank you for agreeing to answer my nosy questions and share them with everyone visiting today.

Q: To begin, please share which genre(s) you write in…
A: I’ve almost written the gamut of pairings: m/f, m/m, m/m/f, m/f/m. I even have one book with an f/f scene in it although I’ve yet to write a full f/f story. I’ve written fantasy, contemporary, paranormal and futuristic.

Q: How long did you write before you received your first contract for publication?
A: I’ve been writing for my own amusement for much of my life. Pretty much since I knew how to string words together. I wrote my first complete book back in 1994 but that one’s still on the backburner after a few rejections. My first published story was in 2005, Dark Elves I: Taken at Loose Id.

Q: Out of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite?
A: Hard to say. I think DE1: Taken will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first. Purgatory, the second book in the Heaven Sent series is also a favorite, as is Tech Support. Of course, the one I just submitted which has yet to be published — Two Man Team — might be in the running. I enjoyed that story.

Q: Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?
A: Sort of. I can write anywhere but my problem is getting distracted by other people. So, usually, a quiet room with my laptop if where I get the good stuff done.

Q: What’s the strangest source of inspiration you’ve found for a story?
A: I’m not sure. My idea of “strange” is off. All of the inspiration that I can recall for my stories seems perfectly normal to me anymore.

Q: If you could offer one tidbit of information for new writers, what would it be?
A: Write! When you’re done with a manuscript, start another one. While you’re promoting one, write another one. Doesn’t have to be a sequel, doesn’t have to be in the same genre. The more you write, the better you get. The more books you have out, the more potential sales. The more books a reader can read of yours that s/he likes, the more they’re likely to read. Also, free stories are some of the best promotion. Gives readers a taste of your style, which makes them more comfortable in paying for the books for sale.

Q: Do you have an evil day job or do you write full time?
A: At the moment, I have a part time EDJ and another part-time web job.

Q: Name one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you.
A: I currently have hot pink and grape purple hair.

Q: What’s your favorite dirty word?
A: Fuck. Lovely word and so flexible. You can use it for almost anything and it makes you bite your bottom lip.

Q: Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
A: No. I’ve been coveting a tattoo for years but I’ve never gotten myself into a shop to do the deed.

Q: If you could be intimate with three people (not necessarily all at one time *g*) without getting in trouble with your significant other, who would they be?
A: Real people? John Taylor of Duran Duran. Johnny Depp. Derek (sp?) from Dancing With The Stars.

Q: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you spend the money on?
A: A new house.

Q: Which household chore do you abhor and why?
A: Cleaning the bathroom.

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food?
A: Turkey. Pizza.

Q: Do you have a favorite book or movie?
A: Too many to name. Favorite books include the Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey and the Dragon Prince series by Melanie Rawn. Movies: Pirates of the Carribean, Robin Hood Prince of Theives (Alan Rickman!), Blazing Saddles, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (so very bad but so very fun!), Grosse Point Blank… I could go on.

Q: If you don’t mind sharing, would you tell us about your latest work in progress?
A: I would if I could but I just started so there’s not much to tell. I’ve been waffling between a few stories, in fact, but I think I finally settled on Leashed 4, which might be titled A Different Kind of Leash. This’d be a continuation of my Leashed series. Meg, Michael, Rudy and now Logan have some other adventures to get up to. I’m still working out the details.

Q: In closing, tell us a bit about your latest release (& share a yummy excerpt for those who aren’t yet familiar with your work)
A: The last one to come out is called Just For You. It was a fun one to write, born out of a silly first scene that I happen to adore. I’ve gotten some nice reaction to it. Mainly, people like Justin, my flamboyant hero. I can’t say that I blame them

Just For You at Loose Id
http://www.loose-id.com/Just-for-You.aspx

BLURB:

Justin falls for Kevin the instant they pass each other on a sidewalk. Only, Kevin’s not gay. The higher ups at Kevin’s company are gay, however, and Kevin’s accidental meeting with Justin gives him an idea how to get around his controlling female supervisor. If he can gain access to the top men at an exclusive gay club, he might be able to finally share his ideas.
Justin instantly agrees to be his date, despite the obvious heartbreak that’s headed his way for going out with a straight man. At the club, Kevin gets a chance to meet the company owner, Victor Chen, and the man seems interested… both in his ideas and his date.
Kevin can’t deny his attraction to Justin, but he’s not gay. Right? He should step aside and let Justin have a chance to date Victor, who’s gorgeous, rich, and shares Justin’s interest in fashion. Despite his internal struggles, he really wants to explore their growing bond. Justin is certainly game, but a part of him knows they can’t have a future together…can they?

Excerpt

©2009 Jet Mykles, all rights reserved

“…and then I…” Justin stopped dead in his tracks in the middle of the sidewalk, forcing two chatting women to split up to go around him. Ignoring their mild glares as they passed, he stared blindly over the plastic lid of his coffee cup, wondering if he’d just seen what he thought he’d seen.
Ahead, Frank kept walking a few steps before realizing he was alone. He spun, the spikes of his highlighted hair refusing to move in the mild breeze that kept the sunny street somewhat cool. “Hey?”
Justin heard him but couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge the words. He snapped around, eagerly searching for… Oh yes! The hind view of the vision of loveliness that had just passed by him. Slightly rumpled charcoal slacks loosely framed a fine little derriere, and an equally rumpled ice gray button-down dress shirt draped slim shoulders. Waved hair the color of good French Roast almost brushed said shoulders.
“Justin, what are you…?”
Barely hearing his friend, Justin raced back down the sidewalk, nearly spilling his coffee in his rush to catch up to a wet dream come to life. He almost ran over a guy on Rollerblades and just avoided getting wrapped up in a microdog’s leash, but he finally made it to the vision’s side. He reached out to wrap a hand around an arm. Nice, he thought, feeling the biceps. Slim but firm.
Said vision halted and twisted his graceful neck over and up to face Justin.
Oh. My. God! Innocently seductive brown eyes kind of focused on Justin from beneath sinfully full black lashes. Confused eyes blinked up at him, positively enchanting. Elegant and sleek, just like the rest of him. Latino somewhere in his lineage, judging by facial features and gold skin tone. There was a childlike purity in that face even though he had to be in his midtwenties, at least. Justin wanted to devour the generous lips that parted in surprise.
“I’ve just fallen in love with you,” Justin declared, cradling his coffee cup to his chest as he kept hold on the vision’s arm. “What is your name, and please tell me you’re gay?”
“Justin!” Frank caught up with him, grabbing the wrist of the hand that had a grip on the vision’s arm. Frank tugged, but Justin wouldn’t let go. “Justin, please, you’re annoying the nice man.”
Justin blinked at the dumbstruck object of his attention as the breeze puffed a lock of shiny dark hair across the man’s brow. “Nice man, please tell me your name so I know who to dream about tonight.”
“Justin!” Frank scolded, prying at his fingers.
Reluctantly, since the vision didn’t seem to be responding in kind, Justin let Frank remove his hand. But he kept eye contact.
“Please excuse him,” Frank said, yanking Justin away. “He’s not right in the head.”
“How can I be in the face of such beauty?” Justin protested, stumbling backward as Frank tugged.
Said beauty blinked slowly, his gorgeous pink lips still parted in shock.
“I work down the street at Juster’s. It’s a men’s boutique.” Justin wanted to cry. “Come find me, Prince Charming. Please!”
The vision blinked again, closed his mouth, and turned away.
Justin sobbed dramatically, watching a fine ass in shapeless slacks retreat. “There goes the love of my life.”
Frank snorted, forcibly turning Justin toward the intersection so he wouldn’t have to drag him anymore. “You’re a complete nutcase.”
Justin sighed and sipped his coffee. “I know. But you gotta go with your instincts, right?”
“Your instincts are going to get you killed one of these days.”
Justin waved his hand and avoided a group of chatting businessmen. “I’ve gotten beat up over it before. That’s nothing new.” He hummed dreamily as they stopped to wait for the light. “But he was pretty, wasn’t he?”
“He was that,” Frank admitted, pressing the Walk button.
Justin glanced back, but the vision was long gone. “Not gay, though, huh?”
“Not in the least.”
“Damn.”

---

To learn more about Jet Mykles, please visit http://www.jetmykles.com.

Please welcome my guest this week, author Ruth Sims.

Q: Hello, Ruth, please share which genre you write in, and why…
A: I write fiction in more than one genre. It just depends upon the story, though most of them are historical in nature. As it has turned out, my published book, The Phoenix, as well as the upcoming 2010 release, Counterpoint: Dylan’s Story, are both gay historical romance. But I have works in progress that have no gay characters, and a couple which are contemporary. I’m easy. Whatever the characters want, they get. I’m easy.

Q: How long did you write before you received your first contract for publication?
A: Since I wrote my first story when I was six (“It was spring. The sun shined. There was a horse…” were the opening words as I recall) and my first book was published in 1994 I waited about 55 years. While I was waiting I worked full time, got married, and raised two children.

Q: So, if you don’t mind sharing, would you tell us about your latest work in progress?
A: Did you ever meet an author of anything who was reluctant to talk about it? The problem is in getting them to stop talking! This one is the third of my gay Victorian era romances. The working title is:

MAHRIME: Forbidden
Mah-ri-may

It’s the love story of two young English Rom (Gypsy) men, tried and banished from their clan because of their forbidden love, their names never to be spoken again by any Rom. (This is a punishment that’s not made up.) Cast out from their own people, they have to make their way in a hostile, anti-Rom English world. Along the way they befriend an equally disgraced young English woman who is pregnant by her employer. So now it’s three against the world.

Q: Out of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite?
A: Counterpoint: Dylan’s Story, though I love them all. They’re all different, so it’s like choosing one child over another.

Q: Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?
A: Oddly enough, I write better and faster if I’m not supposed to be doing it. Now that I’m retired and have a lot of time, I find myself dithering and wasting time. But if something else is going on that I’m supposed to be doing, I find myself thinking of my stories and sneaking in to the computer every chance I get, as if it’s a guilty secret. And of course I constant write in my head even if I’m nowhere near a keyboard! Only a shrink could figure this one out.

Q: What’s the strangest source of inspiration you’ve found for a story?
A: Roadkill. I saw a poor kitty that had been hit by a car and I started to write something about it, because it shook me up. Eventually my few words morphed into a short story called TOM: An Improbable Tail, which ended up being in two different anthologies in the same year and is now a free read at AllRomanceEbooks: http://tinyurl.com/bknlb6 Well, you did say “strangest”. Of course the finished story bears no resemblance to the “inspiration” except that one of the main characters is a cat. A were-cat, to be exact.

Q: If you could offer one tidbit of information for new writers, what would it be?
A: I have two, actually. (1) Keep at it. (2) Don’t be afraid to revise; every piece of writing can be improved.

Q: Do you have an evil day job or do you write full time?
A: I had an evil day job for a long time, but due to the happy occurrence of a chronic health issue that made it difficult to work, I retired.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: Spend time with my family, which includes three granddaughters; read, write reviews of books that impress me, visit with friends, cook and bake, scratch my old cat’s tummy and listen to her purr. Eat things I shouldn’t.

Q: Name one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you.
A: I was brought up to be very, very conservative, in a fundamentalist religion that was to the right of LDS.

Q: What’s your favorite dirty word?
A: religion-in-politics

Q: What’s your favorite holiday, and why?
A: Christmas. I love to buy things for people and can afford to do it only once a year.

Q: Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
A: Lord, no! I never, ever, willingly do anything that hurts. Only if they put me totally “out” with a general anesthetic would I do either! I mean, I can faint from a hangnail.

Q: If you could be intimate with three people (not necessarily all at one time *g*) without getting in trouble with your significant other, who would they be?
A: Depends on what you mean by intimate. Physically? Nobody. Heck, at 70 I don’t have the energy. But intellectually…ah, that’s different! Sharing thoughts is the greatest intimacy of all. I’d love to spend hours talking to Harvey Fierstein, Ken Burns, and Ellen DeGeneres.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?
A: Counterpoint: Dylan’s Story (well, I can’t help it. It’s very good if I say so myself). Plus two large boxes: one with my family pictures and the other with my laptop and extra batteries. (Three boxes = three things. How’s that for being sneaky?)

Q: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you spend the money on?
A: How big a lottery are we talking? Oh, let’s say it’s a Powerball. There’s nothing in particular I want to buy because at my age if I don’t already have it I don’t want it. I don’t need anything else to worry about, insure, or dust. First, of course, I’d make sure my granddaughters had enough to go through college. I’d help my kids out financially, and it would be great to know my husband and I would never be a financial burden on our kids when we got even more doddery than we are now. Then I’d make big donations to charities I’ve never been able to give more than a pittance to, such as the Shriners Crippled Children Hospitals. I’d set up a scholarship for students who intend to make a career in writing. I’d make an endowment to PBS, and local charities who are hurting for money these days. There are so many things it would be wonderful to have the money for. I guess maybe I’d better start buying lottery tickets!

Q: Which household chore do you abhor and why?
A: All of them but cooking. My dust bunnies are so large they have their own social security numbers, and the US census counts them as children.

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food?
A: Pralines & cream ice cream. Which I can’t have because I’m diabetic. Damn.

Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures you feel comfortable sharing?
A: Watching very bad “horror” movies from the 50’s. The kinds of films they showed on Mystery Science Theatre 3000, and MST3 itself when I can find it.

Q: Do you have a favorite book or movie?
A: So many of both it’s awfully hard to choose. John Brown’s Body by Stephen Vincent Benét is one of the most remarkable books I’ve ever read about anything. Favorite films – again, too many to choose from — but “Rent” is the one I’ve watched repeatedly most recently. And I just bought the “Rent” soundtrack.

Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
A: I love hearing from my readers. There’s nothing that can brighten up a discouraging day or make me feel more like continuing in this crazy business, like hearing from a reader. It’s as good as pralines & cream ice cream. Please, please, please write to me if you like my books! ruth.sims@gmail.com

Q: In closing, tell us a bit about your latest release (& share a yummy excerpt for those who aren’t yet familiar with your work)
A: I’m in between releases right now. The Phoenix (2nd edition, revised) was released by Lethe this year. And Counterpoint won’t be out until next year. Since I have excerpts from The Phoenix at my website: www.ruthsims.com, I’ll be a tease and put an excerpt from Counterpoint.

Excerpt from Counterpoint: Dylan’s Story
~~~~~~~~~~~

The scene below is a late 1890’s London music hall. Composer Dylan Rutledge has gone out of curiosity to hear Geoffrey Dohnányi, a young Rom (Gypsy) violinist, perform. They had met before and their dislike and rivalry had been instantaneous. Dylan is prepared to be completely unimpressed by this moderately talented nobody. It’s an evening that will change both their lives. (“Chavula” is Geoffrey’s stage name, and the fulsome introduction is bogus.)
==========
A man in a tail coat came out from the wings. Smoothing his impressive handlebar mustache, he bellowed, “Ladies and gentlemen, a few weeks ago La Bohème had the great pleasure of introducing you to higher class entertainment when we introduced a world-famous ar-teest who’s a favorite with all of you and even your kiddies. After a triumphant tour of wild, romantic Hungary where he played for the king he has returned. Here he is by popular demand, the star of the evening: London’s own Prince of the Gypsies, youngest son of the King of the Gypsies—Chavula Dohnányi!” The applause and whistles were deafening. Geoffrey strode onstage with a confident swagger.

Tight black trousers were tucked into calf high, polished black boots which emphasized his long legs and lean build. He wore a white blouse unbuttoned to the wide, fancifully embroidered sash of blue, crimson, and gold that was knotted at his waist. His curly dark hair was brushed back and the gold hoop was audaciously displayed. He lowered his head slightly and threw a seductive glance at the audience, emphasizing it with a slow grin.

The mother in the box breathed, “Cor’. He’s so byoo-tiful.” Her husband growled, “A bloody mandrake, I don’t doubt.” The whistles became louder, and then Geoffrey’s expressive face became serious. He tucked his violin beneath his chin and positioned the bow. Silence fell like a blessing upon the raucous crowd.

Dylan had never heard a violin played as Geoffrey Dohnányi played that night. The piano accompanist floundered and quit; no one noticed. Geoffrey’s slim body was in constant motion from head to feet, almost dancing when he played a czardas that had the people clapping in rhythm, slow … slow … faster … faster … and still faster until his fingers were flying over the strings. He stopped, breathing hard; the rhythmic hands burst into wild applause. He played songs they could sing. He played Schumann. He played musical jokes, making the violin hiccough, and whine, and scold. He played magic.

Suddenly Dylan did gasp aloud. St. Joan! Dohnányi was playing the theme from his St. Joan! But he dared—dared to alter the theme itself! Bad enough that he had once criticized the first violin and cello parts, but to alter the theme was unpardonable! And yet … He listened, frowning. Dohnányi’s improvised double stops produced a grating dissonance perfect for portraying the fatal flames that reached for the Maid of Orleans.

The audience was uncertain how to react to the serious music. The applause was more of a question than an accolade. “What kind of music was that?” yelled the man in Dylan’s box, waking one of his children. “Need a new fiddle, boy?” Scattered boos answered the man. With effort Dylan resisted the urge to drag the idiot into the street. One may as well paint rainbows for the blind!

Geoffrey’s skin shone with perspiration as he bowed low. He straightened and spoke. “I wish to close with a song I remember from many years ago when I played with my father. It is called Romnichel. I dedicate it to my people.” Geoffrey positioned the violin once more and drew the first melting tones from the strings. Romnichel was sound wrapped in velvet. The simple, rich melody spoke of wide, black skies with a single star, of the smells of dewy grass and rich, damp earth. Romnichel invaded Dylan’s being in a fever of both mind and body. He knew he would feel that music so long as he lived.

There was a momentary hush as the song ended. Geoffrey slowly raised the violin and bow as if offering them to the god of music. The silence was broken by an eruption of applause. As the audience applauded and stamped, whistled and called for more, Geoffrey bowed again before leaving the stage.

Dylan pushed against the crowd streaming through the door. He had to talk to Geoffrey. Had to! He found his way to the backstage area that he hoped led to the dressing rooms. Power! he thought. Such power! And he’s so young! I’ve got to talk to him—damn it, he shouldn’t have changed my work without—my god, the power—I wish I didn’t want him—must talk to him—beautiful, so beautiful—and he didn’t know whether he meant Geoffrey or the music. When he saw Geoffrey standing in the doorway of a dressing room, he was not alone. Dylan stopped short.

A well-dressed man was with him. Geoffrey held his violin case in one hand and with the other he unlocked the dressing room door. The other man said something and laughed. Geoffrey smiled wearily, glanced up and his eyes met Dylan’s. His lips parted as if he were confused. When the man slipped his arm around Geoffrey’s shoulders and nuzzled his ear, Geoffrey looked away from Dylan. They entered the dressing room. The door closed. Dylan heard the short, dull sound of a bolt going into place and was shaken by a strange, unreasoning anger.

---

For more information about Ruth Sims, please the following sites:
Author’s website: http://www.ruthsims.com/
Author’s book review blog: http://www.reviewsbyruth.wordpress.com/

I’m giving away a copy of Reckless Passion on Slash & Burn today. Make sure you swing by and throw your name into the hat. http://slash-and-burn.blogspot.com

This week my guest is Helen Madden. Please give Helen a warm welcome.

Q: So, Helen, what genre do you write in, and why?
A: I write speculative fiction erotica, by which I mean science fiction, fantasy, and horror erotica, occasionally with some magic realism and other odd genres thrown in. I had originally started out as a science fiction and fantasy writer, but started writing erotica because I was able to sell stories in that market. Over time, I was able to combine the various genres together to get what I write now.

Q: How long did you write before you received your first contract for publication?
A: I dabbled for a couple of years before I sold my first story to PlayGirl. I began writing seriously six years ago, and sold my first e-book, Demon By Day (http://www.mojocastle.com/demon/byday.html), to Mojocastle Press, three years later.

Q: So, if you don’t mind sharing, would you tell us about your latest work in progress?
A: Currently, I devote a lot of my time to the Heat Flash Erotica Podcast, my weekly audio show of speculative fiction erotica. Every week, I write, record, edit and produce a new story. The show airs first on RadioDentata.com, an adult internet radio website, and then is available to listeners free both on the website and via subscription to the RSS feed. I tentatively have a publisher lined up to put out a book of the first 100 stories for the show. Hopefully that will be out sometime next year.

In addition to that, I’m also currently getting back into cartooning on a regular basis. I draw a web comic called “The Adventures of Cynical Woman,” which is about my life as a stay-at-home-mom and erotica writer. Lots of fun material there to play with!

Q: Out of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite?
A: Probably my favorite story is “Husbands and Wives,” which was published in my short story collection “Future Perfect.” It’s a look at a future world were the women rule and barter for men to be their husbands. Society as we know it has been turned upside down, and one young man is desperate to find a wife who will support his mother and sisters. It’s more romantic than erotic, though not a romance in the current industry sense of the word.

Q: Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?
A: I prefer a little peace and quiet, but with two small children in the house, that’s not always an option. I’m very fortunate to have a spouse who loves to build computers, so I have three computers available to work on, all linked together by a wireless network. My workhorse computer, the desktop, is in the office. I use it not only for writing, but also audio editing and recording for the podcast. Then I also have a laptop in the bedroom. In the past I used that computer to write and work while I nursed my youngest child. Finally, I recently picked up a netbook, which I absolutely love! Doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the laptop and desktop have, but it’s very easy to grab and go. I’ve done a lot of writing while waiting for the kids at various lessons and events.

Q: What’s the strangest source of inspiration you’ve found for a story?
A: I’m currently recording a series of stories I wrote based on random words and phrases that people sent to me. I put out announcements on my blog and on Twitter, asking people to send me three random words or phrases. I took all of those and put them in a hat, and then drew out three slips of paper at random. Whatever I pulled out, I had to use to write a story. I had some very good stories come out of some very strange combinations of words, including the words roleplay, cheese, and sexy bacon bra.

Q: If you could offer one tidbit of information for new writers, what would it be?
A: Don’t be afraid to experiment. You do NOT have to write what everyone else is writing, nor do you have to write what all the publishers are asking for. That’s not to say you can submit something to a publisher that isn’t within their guidelines, but if you keep writing the stories you enjoy, the stories that really challenge you, you’ll eventually build up quite a portfolio of good work. With a little effort, you can find the right publisher for your oddest, most offbeat stories. I’ve never written anything near the mainstream, but I’ve definitely got publishers I can go to with the stuff I write.

Q: Do you have an evil day job or do you write full time?
A: I used to have an evil day job, but I quit that some years ago. I was a graphics illustrator, contracted to work with the US Air Force. I drew lots of pictures of planes and equipment and built over 1000 Power Point briefings. I was very good at it, but I hated that job with a passion. Nowadays, I write, podcast, and work as a freelance illustrator. And when I’m not doing any of that, my job is to be the ultimate evil of all… stay-at-home mom. MWA HA HAHAHAHAHA!!

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: What is this thing you call ’spare time’? Seriously though, I try to grab a bit of time to myself when I can. Usually it’s to exercise or draw. We bought a Wii a few months back and I’m addicted to it. Mostly I abuse Wii Fit and EA Sports Active, but we’re starting to pick up some other games. Beyond that, I just like being a geek and a freak and scaring the other mommies in my neighborhood.

Q: Name one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you.
A: I spent 11 years in the US Army Reserves. I was an officer in the Transportation Corps, and I worked with everything from 18-wheeled cargo haulers to large tug boats. The tug boats were pretty damned cool. There is nothing like the smell of salt water and diesel fuel at 5AM in the morning!

Q: What’s your favorite dirty word?
A: It depends on the mood and the situation, but since I’m normally surrounded by kids who have a nasty habit of repeating everything I say, I usually just stick with “Oh crap!”

Q: What’s your favorite holiday, and why?
A: Halloween, hands down. Before kids, I used to do a lot of sewing and costuming, and I loved any excuse that came along to make some new outfit. I’ve got gorgeous kimonos, a Roman toga, a couple of Xena costumes, and an Elvis jumpsuit all tucked away in my closet right now.

Q: Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
A: No tattoos, but I do have pierced ears and a pierced navel. The pierced navel is always fun to deal with when you’re eight months pregnant.

Q: If you could be intimate with three people (not necessarily all at one time *g*) without getting in trouble with your significant other, who would they be?
A: I think if I had that kind of free time, I’d use it to sleep instead.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want with you?
A: My Army survival manual, a first aid kit, and a fishing net. Honestly, I’d be too busy trying to survive to want anything else.

Q: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you spend the money on?
A: A new laptop, some art books I’ve had my eye on for a while, a new iPod, and new bedroom furniture. Although I should probably stash a huge chunk of the money in the kids college funds first, shouldn’t I? I’m a bad mommy…

Q: Which household chore do you abhor and why?
A: Picking up after the kids, because I fear I will be doing it forever if they don’t learn to do it themselves. Beyond that, my biggest problem with housework is that I like to have a whole day to focus on cleaning a particular room, but I can’t manage to get a full day to clean with all the other stuff I’ve got going on. I’ve learned to live with the dust.

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food?
A: A cup of coffee and a soft-boiled egg on toast. If I can have that in the morning, and eat it while I sit down to read the paper, the day is good.

Q: Do you have any guilty pleasures you feel comfortable sharing?
A: There’s not a lot I feel guilty about, to be honest. I am addicted to gadgets and all things tech, but I also hoard books and art supplies like nobody’s business. If I could have anything I wanted, anything at all? I’d ask for a free afternoon to sit down at the kitchen table with a drawing pad and a big fresh box of Crayola Crayons. Yeah, I know, not that exciting, but then I get off on doodling and drawing and stuff like that.

Q: Do you have a favorite book or movie?
A: Favorite books - Delusion’s Master by Tanith Lee (the book that made me want to write!); The Gate To Women’s Country by Sherri S. Tepper (the closest thing I have ever read to a perfect book); A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore (I nearly died laughing while reading this one, which is rather ironic if you know the book)

Favorite movies - the Fellowship of the Ring, theater version; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Army of Darkness; Shaun of the Dead.

Q: Anything else you’d like to share?
A: Read the web comic if you REALLY want to know what’s going on in my life…
http://www.theadventuresofcynicalwoman.blogspot.com

And if you like a good dose of humor in your erotica, you can watch my Stick Figure Porno movies at Atom Films!

http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/stick_figure_porno1
http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/stick_figure_porno2

Q: In closing, tell us a bit about your latest release (& share a yummy excerpt for those who aren’t yet familiar with your work)
A: My most recent release is “FUTURE PERFECT: A Collection of Fantastic Erotica,” published by Logical Lust (http://www.logical-lust.com/futureperfect.html).

What if you made love at the end of the universe … only to discover your partner was a devastating black hole? What if you cut down a tree in your yard … and Mother Nature came after you with a switch? What if your lover saw the future … every time she had an orgasm? From the distant future to a mythical past and everything in between, FUTURE PERFECT examines the role of sex in a fantastic world. The stories range from hard science fiction to classic horror and urban fantasy, but through it all runs a thread of explicit sexuality that embraces every orientation and relationship imaginable. Whether it’s the force of cosmic creation or the deceitful lure of sin, FUTURE PERFECT takes sex beyond the limits of the everyday to celebrate it on a universal scale.

From the title story of the book:

Future Perfect
By Helen E. H. Madden

“Sahir came… Sahir comes… is coming, will have come…”

It sounded like a lesson in verb tenses, but it was actually the beginnings of a prescient vision, the kind Nadine only got when she was on the verge of a twenty mega-ton orgasm. The word come sounded promising, but my name was Aaron, not Sahir, and it kind of bothered me to hear Nadine call out another man’s name when things were getting hot and heavy. Not that I thought she was involved with anyone named Sahir. It’s just that after spending two years as her boy-toy, it would have been nice to hear my loving domme shout Aaron, Aaron! when she was about to blow.

“Sahir will come… will come…”

Well, at least she was with me physically. Gray eyes glazed, vision turned inwards, Nadine cinched a piece of surgical tubing around my freshly shaved balls. All the while, she kept muttering about Sahir. I bit the penis-shaped gag stuffed in my mouth and groaned. I should have realized playtime wasn’t her top priority when she brought me into the lab instead of the apartment upstairs. Most dominatrixes have a dungeon. Not Nadine. She was a scientist, so she had a lab and a test subject, a very willing test subject.

From the start of our relationship, she’d measured all my responses, tested my physical and mental capacities, and analyzed my phobias and fetishes. Feminization ranked as my fifth-worst fear as well as my second favorite turn-on, which meant wearing frilly panties got me so hard it scared the hell out of me. So naturally, Nadine had transformed me into a little girl for this particular session. I stood before my latex-clad domme, hands secured behind my back, wearing a lacy pink baby-doll dress with matching socks and patent leather shoes. A pair of itchy ruffled panties hung around my ankles. I had cried when she made me put them on, then breathed a sigh of relief two hours later when she finally yanked them down to torment my cock.

“Sahir comes… comes up to the register… he counts the till…”

Damn, still talking about Sahir. Sahir was the guy who ran the convenience store a few blocks from Nadine’s house. He got robbed once a month, but she’d had never had a vision about it before now. Why the hell was he so important this evening?

“Sahir counts the till… a boy is hiding… hiding in the store…”

Beads of sweat formed around a series of flat metal disks pasted to Nadine’s forehead. More disks lay hidden beneath the red latex suit that encased her from neck to ankle. The wireless electrodes, one of Nadine’s early inventions from the days she worked for a biotech firm, stood out as stark white patches against her dusky brown skin. They transmitted her brainwave activity to a nearby computer where all Nadine’s visions were recorded for later analysis.

“The boy pulls out a gun… Sahir doesn’t see… he counts the till…”

As her vision grew more intense, I stole a peek at the computer’s monitor. A series of wavy lines crawled across the screen. The third line from the bottom, the one Nadine said represented her theta waves, began to spike. Did that mean she was close to coming, or was that a symptom of the vision she was experiencing?

Wham! The stinging smack of a paddle on my ass drove any further questions from my mind. Even through the vision, Nadine had sensed my straying attention. To correct me, she picked up a small leather flogger and began slapping my cock with it. With every stroke, my tortured dick bounced up and down.

Nadine continued muttering about Sahir and the hidden boy. I writhed before her, caught in a hellish mix of agony and ecstasy. Beneath the surgical tubing, my balls swelled and ached. The throbbing head of my cock turned purple and started to leak. A buildup of pressure at the base of my dick told me I was almost home, but just as I was about to drop to my knees and explode, Nadine tossed the flogger aside and spun me around to face the examining table. I wanted to scream in frustration, but the gag made it pointless to try. Even in her current state, the lady knew exactly how to take me to the edge and keep me there for hours on end.

“The boy is hiding… a red-haired boy hides, pulls out a gun… Sahir counts the till…”

Christ, could she just shut up about Sahir? Nadine grabbed me by the neck and bent me over the table. I heard the snap of latex and felt a cold dollop of lube hit between my ass cheeks. My third-worst fear and all-time favorite kink—anal penetration—kicked into play as Nadine’s slender gloved fingers spread the lube around my clenched hole.

Heart pounding, I wriggled and bucked, desperate to break free. Hell if I was going to let some woman finger-fuck me! I was the guy, I was supposed to do the penetrating. No way was I going to stand there, dressed up like fucking Shirley Temple, and take it up the ass from some bitch!

Nadine grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and shoved me back down on the table. With my hands cuffed and my ankles hobbled by those damn ruffled panties, there wasn’t much I could do except whimper into my gag. Then Nadine slipped a couple fingers inside my sphincter and I just melted. Waves of pleasure rippled through my body as she eased them in and out of my hole. I couldn’t fight her. I didn’t want to. It felt good when she fingered me, calling me her sweet boy, playing with my cock while she stretched my hole wide. I wanted her to fuck me. I wanted her to bend me over and make me cry. Most of all, I just wanted to hear her say my name.

“Sahir looks up… he sees the gun… Sahir…”

God dammit! I started struggling again. I didn’t want to hear about Sahir and some stupid robbery. I wanted Nadine to focus on me.

“Sahir sees the gun… the boy with the gun…”

Nadine forced me back down on the table and slipped a third finger inside me. My knees started to shake. I’d never taken more than two before. Now I was stretched impossibly wide. A million different feelings flooded my brain—fear, pleasure, shock, shame, excitement, relief… I had Nadine’s attention, all right. That one extra finger had put me into orbit, and she knew it. If she did anything else…

“The boy pulls out the gun… puts his finger on the trigger…”

I was so excited I could barely hear the words anymore. Nadine grabbed my hair and pulled me upright as she continued to work my ass. As soon as I was standing, her hand snaked around my waist and gripped my cock. I forgot all about Sahir and Nadine’s vision. I rocked my hips back and forth, thrusting into her clenched fist and then back onto the fingers of her other hand. I started to moan and shiver, all my senses focused on my throbbing dick and my aching hole. The buildup inside me grew and grew and grew…

“Sahir sees the gun… the boy pulls the trigger… the boy pulls… Oh god, Aaron… Aaron… Aaron!”

My name at last. The sweetest sound in the world issued forth from my lover’s lips as I shot my load all over the examining table. Behind me, I felt Nadine stiffen and shudder. Her hand tightened on my cock, squeezing the life out of it along with the last drops of cum. Completely exhausted, my knees gave out. Nadine and I sank to the floor.

Nadine pulled the gag out of my mouth. I turned to curl up against her, burying my face in her neck. “Oh Nadine, oh god I love you,” I whimpered.

Panting, she stripped off the latex glove and tossed it aside, then held me tight to stroke my hair. “It’s all right, baby. Mama’s got you.”

I wriggled closer for a kiss. She gave me a squeeze, then straightened up.

“Honey, we got to get moving.” She pushed me away and struggled to her feet. “Come on, get up. We’ve got to go.”

“Nadine, please!” But she was already pulling me up after her. With a quick tug, Nadine undid the restraints from my wrists. She tore the electrodes off her face and scalp and grabbed the coat she’d left hanging on a nearby wall hook. Then she snatched my clothes off the floor and shoved them into my arms.

“Don’t just stand there, Aaron, we’ve got to go. Sahir’s in trouble.”

“What, you saw him getting robbed again?” I snapped. “He gets held up all the time. Why the hell are we running out to help him tonight?”

“Because tonight he gets shot and killed!”

Nadine glared at me, her grey eyes sparking. Shamefaced, I dropped my gaze to my patent leather shoes.

“Can’t we just call the police?”

“They won’t get there in time. Now come on, we’re leaving.”

She spun on her heel and raced out of the lab, pulling on her coat as she went. I yanked up my panties and ran after her. I prayed no one would see me stumble outside to the car. The engine was already running by the time I slid into the passenger seat. As Nadine tore off down street, I struggled into my clothes. Oh well, at least she said my name when she came.

Author bio:

Helen E. H. Madden is a writer and artist who quit her lucrative day job years ago to tell dirty stories for fun and profit. Her published works have appeared in various anthologies, including “Cream: The Best of the Erotica Readers and Writers Association” and the “Coming Together” charity anthologies, “With Pride” and “Al Fresco.” Helen also writes and produces the Heat Flash Erotica Podcast, a free online audio program of erotic speculative fiction. In her spare time, she draws “The Adventures of Cynical Woman,” a web comic about life as a stay-at-home mom and erotica writer. When she’s not working, Helen thinks about sex. A lot.

Website: http://www.helenehmadden.com
Podcast: http://www.heatflash.libsyn.com
Web comic: http://www.theadventuresofcynicalwoman.blogspot.com
Stick Figure Porno cartoons: http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/stick_figure_porno1
http://www.atom.com/funny_videos/stick_figure_porno2

I’m afraid I don’t have much to report on Reckless Determination this week. I had a spark of inspiration for another work in progress and I’ve been yo-yoing back and forth between the two stories.

 

 

 ”In this story we learn that trust is something that bonds love eternal, that without it there is no guarantee of a true relationship. These two men make your heart sing, your soul cry, and your body crave fulfillment. Love is not a gender it’s an emotion, a blending of souls which is proven by this amazing author.”

Whipped Cream Reviews/Ambrosia

Carina Press was announced this morning (http://www.cnbc.com/id/33785094). They are an all digital imprint of Harlequin with Angela James (formerly of Samhain Publishing) at the helm as Executive Editor. They are accepting submissions now of all romance subgenres as well as women’s fiction. They will follow the no advance/higher royalty model of other epublishers although they don’t disclose the royalty rate.

Check them out at http://carinapress.com/.