Meet The Author Kryssie Fortune- Erotica, Paranormal and Contemporary Author #amreading #author #romance

 

 

7mpAnother double hit this month, it’s the 25th and I’m thrilled to showcase another author.  Kryssie Fortune a British author who has the pleasure of living near the coast. What I love about Kryssie is, she does not let anything hold her back with her writing. I enjoyed interviewing Kryssie, I got a real sense who she is as a writer, we seem to have a few things in common on the “writer’s life” view point. Let’s get to know Ms. Fortune’s style….

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy?

Lovely to meet you too. I’m Kryssie Fortune, an English writer of erotic romance, both paranormal and contemporary. I live on the Yorkshire Coast and spend part of each day walking by the beach with my husband. If I’m not writing, I’m baking or gardening.

How did you start writing? What was your inspiration to create?

I don’t think I’m creative. I just like to tell made up stories. Even as a small child, I lined my dolls up and made them listen. Apparently, I told friends I’d write a book one day back when I was in my teens. I’d won the occasional writing contest, but didn’t think much of it. When my heart valve collapsed and I almost died I knew I need to reach for my dreams. Thankfully, I’m fine now. I have eleven e-books on Amazon. 12 if you count my box set, and number 13 – Claimed by the Vampire, Seduced by the Werewolf – is for release on May 2nd

Kim:  * opens up Amazon* wow that’s great thirteen books! I’ve got to take a look. Also, I think you are creative, you write- that’s creativity.

Who is your favourite author, is there anyone out there that inspires you?

It changes constantly. The one I go back to is Kresley Cole. I love her Immortals After Dark series.

Kim: We have something in common, if I’m thinking of the same author I too have an Immortals After Dark book on my Kindle. I’ve not read it yet, thanks for prompting me.

What genre do you enjoy reading?

I’ll read anything. Mostly I stick with romances. Any kind, from Regency, through military, to paranormal. I enjoy the occasional adventure / mystery too.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

It gave me more self-confidence, but it didn’t change my process. I’m still a punster. The best description I ever saw was that a writer has a series of islands to swim to before reaching the mainland. I start with a scene in my head and work out things around it as I go. Oddly, in a couple of instances, the scene I used for inspiration never made it into my book.

Kim:  *raises an eyebrow*  I hear all of that and understand. I have a romantic thriller I’ve been working on for the best part of two years. I’ve ripped it to sheds many times, taken out scenes and gone through the same experience you describe. What’s funny is, once I ripped it apart, I now have two book ideas lols. I agree with the islands you describe, sometimes those islands are so bloody far apart! But it makes it all worth while when a project is complete.

So you’ve published a series, what is the series about?

I have two series. One is my Scattered Siblings paranormal series full of werewolves, Fae, and an ever-hungry dragon. The old Fae king was a lecher who left children everywhere. Now his son, Leonidas has taken the throne, he’s trying to find them. Much to his eire, they keep mating with werewolves.

The second is my Heroes of Westhorpe Ridge series. It’s about former military men building civilian lives in Westhorpe Ridge. Of course, for warriors like them, true love never runs smooth. There are kidnappers, arsonists, and even spies hunting the women they love.

Kim: I’ll take a peek at the Scattered Siblings, feel free to send me one of your Author Review Copies.

What was it like creating back to back stories that link?

Fun. I liked that the worlds were already built and readers would meet old friends as each stand-alone romance unfolds. The Scattered Sibling world I invented, but Westhorpe Ridge was harder. I’m a Brit who doesn’t do long haul but I needed an imaginary town in North Carolina. Fortunately, my Facebook friends don’t mind me asking them stupid questions about their state. For the town itself, I mentally transplanted the Yorkshire town of Whitby to America. Of course, since the stories are contemporary, I left the Dracula connection back in Yorkshire.

Kim: good job! Yorkshire to the USA, sounds good to me. 

Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? If you could what genre would you like to dabble in?

I’d like to write a detective story or a Dan Brown type adventure. I have a couple of ideas, but I need to sit down and plot. I’ve never done that in detail, but maybe someday I will.

Kim: welcome to my world. Thrill and suspense is such a great genre to write. I wish you well keep us posted over at Meet The Author when it takes off.

What has been your most proud moment as an author?

The day Loose id accepted my first story, To Wed a Werewolf.

I read their e-mail and screamed so loud my husband thought I was hurt. I remember leaping around like a loon. It meant the world that such a brilliant publisher was willing to invest time and effort in me. It still blows me away every time I get a new book accepted.

Kim: awww, yes I know that feeling! Good job and well done.

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration?

When I did the writers course, it was aimed at magazine articles. My first few efforts were rejected. Looking back, I’m not surprised. I hated every rejection but it made my first accepted feature – a centre page spread on the history of York – so much more special.

Kim: Amazing, rejection can be a bitch. I had a rejection from a major romance publisher I’d love to work with last year, for my romantic thriller.  I sent over the first three chapters. Only because there’s a murder, they said nicely “we love it Kim but in this line we can’t feature murder in romance. Send us something else you have” 😦 . But another publisher picked it up right away! Turns out they’d love a romantic thriller story with a murder. I’ve just got to finish writing it. Sometimes, rejection leads to better things, and a better fit for your work.

Am I the only one who gets hung up on commas? Do they make you go blah! when you’re writing?

Me and commas? We’re not friends. I was taught you put a comma wherever you pause for breath. I swear Americans breathe in different places. My editor moves nearly all of mine. But, to quote an Ashe Baker, an author friend of mine, “do I look like I’m the sort of person to worry about a comma.” That sort of puts it in perspective for me.

Kim: *cracks up laughing* OMG, you and I are on the same page. I was taught this in school also. When it comes to us Brits and USA editors and publishers, we can face some challenges. I’ve had my spellings changed to American English too, I go back and change it…. I’m British let’s stay real! I love your friend’s take on commas, what a refreshing view point.

Every writer has a word(s) that they always slip up on when they write, then slap their forehead when they notice their typo. For me it’s further and farther exit or exists-  but hey I’m over it now.  Do you have a word (s) that make you go blah! Go away not another damn typo.

I’m dyslexic. I never knew it until my daughter became head of English in the school where she teaches. I do the classic d and b thing and I don’t see my own mistakes. Every word is a challenge for me.

Kim: but you keep going, love it. Thirteen books lady…. remember that!

What three tips would you give any aspiring writer?

  1. Practice Polish  3. Remember it doesn’t need to be perfect and let go.

Kim: such wise advice. We can be so hard on ourselves. Thanks for your view point.

So… where can we get your books?

Buy links
Loose id https://app.bitly.com/BebnjNZnvC8/bitlinks/2pFyQ5Z
Amazon USA http://amzn.to/2pLmmK4
Amazon UK http://amzn.to/2pd1Hvt
Kobo http://bit.ly/2qBMdl5
Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/2q36rI5

What are you working on now? What will you release next?

My next release is Claimed by the Vampire, Seduced by the Werewolf.

I guess the title explains the story, but it involves Spartans, Persian princes, and witches all in a modern-day setting. Hades and the Etruscan Hell god, Orcus make an appearance too.

Look out for a Vampire who likes to spank his immortal bride and a werewolf with a riding crop.

I’m currently working on another Heroes of Westhorpe Ridge story, Submission, Secrets, and the Soldier, but I haven’t submitted it to my editor yet.

Kim: Oh my. Did I mention I’m a True Blood Junkie? I could get into the Vampire story. Sounds very erotic. Do keep us posted on Meet The Author. I have massive respect for you paranormal writers, the talented.

What was your hardest scene to write?

Sex. I mean basically it’s insert part A into part B. The reader wants far more than that so I try to make my sex scenes so hot they burn the readers’ fingers. I was made-up when one review called my sex scenes sensual.

Kim: *giggles* you can’t beat a good sex scene. Yes inserting parts I agree with. You do need to transport the reader. Sensual is a massive compliment, shows you set the tone well in your scene. Good job.

Do you Google yourself?

Yes. I’ve found pirate copies of my books that way and had them removed.

Kim: Oh S*it! Really? I’d like to speak with you about this in more detail. This could be a good guest post on the topic, if you’re interested? A heads up for other authors.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I’ve met Bella Settarra at a few conferences, and you won’t find a nicer lady.

I’m good friends with Ashe Barker and Jennifer Denys. We get together for lunch on a regular basis.

What’s your favourite movie?

I love Romancing the Stone. It’s an oldie but a goodie. When Jack Colton first kisses Joan Wilder it’s magical.

Back to the twenty-first century. I love the Marvel Universe films and recently went to see Marvel Live at Sheffield Arena.

What’s your favourite book and why?

Can I have a play instead? I love Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The mix of slapstick and romance always delights me. I’m greedy, so I’ll go for another play too. I recently saw the National Theatre production of Henrik Ibsen and Hedda Gabler. The woman was wrong in the head, but the consequences of her actions made fascinating watching.

Where would you like to travel to and why?

Don’t laugh. North Carolina. I’ve learned so much about it while researching my Heroes of Westhorpe Ridge books. It has a mix of everything I love, from mountains to coast. I’d have to win the lottery and cruise there though. I’d love to explore their replica of Queen Anne’s Revenge – the pirate ship Blackbeard used. Yes. It does make it into one of the stories

I’d head to Washington after that. Dan Brown’s Lost Symbol gave me a tour of American treasures. I’d love to see them first hand.

Kim: I read a great story set in  North Carolina by Diane Chamerbaine it’s based on real life. There was a project in the sixties that allowed the state to sterilise women who they felt were “retarded”, or “over sexed.” The women were from poor backgrounds, and victims of rape half the time…. it’s Necessary Lies. Check it out, I followed up with my own research, I read about some of the victims.  This was the first book I read by this author a few years back. Since then I buy her books as they come out, without even reading the blurb I just see her name and click buy now! She’s so good.

Tell us about how you develop your characters?

Over many versions. Remember the dyslexia? I have to check each manuscript repeatedly. The more I do, the better I know my characters. I keep adding to them with each reread.

Which one of your characters is your favourite and why?

Caleb the Cold. Now there’s a werewolf who is hot. He’s the hero of my first published book, To Wed A Werewolf. He can be a real pain in the backside but when he finally recognised Sylvie as his mate, he redeemed himself.

I love Jared Armstrong too, the hero of Marriage, Mobsters and the Marine. He’s cold and tough, a retired military sniper with an impressive kill rate, but he needs to marry money to get his family out of a hole. When Abigail Montgomery advertised for he husband he jumped at the chance.

Kim: sounds good!

And that’s a wrap I LOVED meeting Kryssie here this month, and I look forward to reading her work. I hope you enjoyed it  too.

Connect with Kryssie here:

My amazon Author ages are

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/2oP9Yq9

Amazon UK   – http://amzn.to/2q6Hebx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kryssie.fortune

Author site http://kryssiefortune.blogspot.co.uk/

KF_HeroesofWesthorpeRidge3D.jpgKF_Claimed by the Vampire _coverin

 

If you’re an author and you’d like a feature contact me via the “contact Kim” page.

meet-the-author

Meet The Author: Gavin Ough Contemporary Romance & Paranormal Author @gavinough1 #amreading #amwriting #author

 

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It’s the 25th so it’s time for Meet The Author. This month, I am very happy to feature author Gavin Ough. Gavin is a British author (like yours truly), he hails from Kent in the UK.  I read Gavin’s interview with a smile and real admiration, it’s so refreshing to see a male writer turn his hand to contemporary romance :).I feel warm inside at this thought. Gavin is clearly a writer who does not do what is expected of him as a man… not write about love, feelings or relationships. Or try to make a romance junkie smile with his humour in his stories. Gavin is multi -talented now he has published his first book, he’s creating a  paranormal romance genre novel. I’m intrigued by him and excited about his paranormal work, are you? Good. Let’s get to know his style, what does our male romance author have to offer us romance junkies… Over to you Mr. Ough.

Hello nice to meet you! Tell us a bit about you where are you from and other than writing what else do you enjoy?

Hi, I’m Gav. I live and work in Herne Bay, Kent although I grew up in Whitstable. I’m married with three daughters; one’s a secondary school teacher, one works in a pre-school nursery and my youngest is in junior school.

Needless to say I love a good read, but my latest hobby is woodturning. I bought a cheap lathe and have been trying to create things of beauty – with varying degrees of success – ever since. I managed to make a walnut bowl I’m quite proud of so that’s going okay at the moment. Other than that I like playing video games with my youngest and watching The Amazing World of Gumball with her (don’t judge!)

Kim Haha Gavin, I’d never judge you, I have a three year old son I can quote Paw Patrol and Postman Pat theme tunes.

How did you start writing? What was your inspiration to create?

I’ve loved reading since I was just a liccle boy. I clearly remember reading The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings in junior school so I suppose I must have been a precocious reader. I always had the dream of being a writer but never thought I had the talent (the jury’s still out as to whether I’ve got any now). So I trained in the horticulture industry before getting jobs cleaning other people’s muck off other people’s toilets, ended up as a landscaper for ages. Work dried up in about 2008 and so my wife said I ought to give writing a try. I’d been trying to write a fantasy novel off and on for about ten years but didn’t have any real idea how until I started reading other people’s hints and tips. Joined a few freelance sites and managed to get work with an online publisher called Serialities. They gave me the little boost I needed to realise other people thought I could write as well and the rest is history.

Kim: Oh your wife rocks, what support and encouragement. I wish you all the best with creating your “new world” in your fantasy book. Be sure to let us know when it’s released.

Who is your favourite author, is there anyone out there that inspires you?

I was a fan of the old Fighting Fantasy game books, by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone when I were a lad which probably fuelled my thirst for all things fantasy. David Gemmell and David Eddings continued the theme. For horror I love a good Stephen King (obviously) but the English Shaun Hutson is a master too as are Richard Laymon and Dean Koontz. As for chick lit authors, my wife recommended Trisha Ashley and I was hooked on the humour so started reading as many different authors as could. Sophie Kinsella, Sue Johnson, Dawn French to name but a few. Sorry if they don’t consider themselves as chick lit writers but I think they fit the bill.

Kim: *raise eyebrows* you’ve read Sophie Kinsella, now that’s refreshing. I’m sure she’d be thrilled to know she’s reaching male readers.

What Genre Do You Enjoy Reading?
Fantasy – end of. I like other genres as well but not as much as a well written and engaging fantasy. Swords, magic, dragons and killing – I’m such a bloke sometimes. I do like sci-fi but usually as a romance sub genre. Horror and paranormal but not vampire stuff so much as it’s been overdone. Needless to say I like a good old rom-com too.

Kim: Ya know, the only vampire stuff I got into is True Blood. I’m such a True Blood junkie. When it aired on TV in the UK, I would sit and watch back to back episodes with my mouth wide open. Love it.

 How Did Publishing Your First Book Change Your process of Writing?
The Spaces in Between was based on a twenty part serial story written for Serialities. I suppose the biggest thing I learned was about having some kind of an outline or plan to work to, even if it’s just a list of ‘things’ that are going to happen in your story. I was lucky as I’d been paid to write the outline over twenty weeks so just had to add a load of extra content to it.
And revisions – endless, relentless, repetitive revisions.

Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre? If you could what genre would you like to dabble in?

Just the ones I’ve mentioned. Fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal. Actually I’m working on a paranormal book now.

Kim: keep us posted.

What has been your most proud moment as an author?

Getting published by Serialities. Even though it hasn’t sold a billion copies I think that’s more to do with our combined marketing skills (or lack thereof) and the fact I haven’t quite reached a million followers yet. Not yet but I will.

Kim: A million copies, that’s every author’s dream we’re behind you with your vision! Good luck.

Was there ever a time you wanted to pick up your laptop, and then launch it out the window with frustration?

Not really. If I do have problems writing something, I just stop and do something else entirely, shut the laptop and cut the grass or let the dog walk me or watch something with the missus. By the time – usually the next day – I get back to it I can usually carry on without much hassle. You need to enjoy writing even though it’s hard, even when it’s hard so if it gets to the point you’re getting frustrated you need to stop for a while.

Are you a “plotter” or a fly by the seat of your pants “pantster” as a writer?

More a pantster than a plotter I would say although I’ve gotten better at planning and plotting as the works have got longer. I started out by writing 500 word pieces easily read on a phone and the readers voted on the plot twists so I couldn’t so much planning. Now I write a few short character descriptions and a very brief outline with what I want to happen in each chapter then virtually ignore the whole thing until I hit a stumbling block. I suppose I’ve got a good idea of where it’s going when I start so the plan is in my head rather than on paper but I don’t spend weeks with worksheets and plot diagrams, no. A list of major events from start to finish and then I just start typing.

Kim: massive respect to all pansters out there!.. I sit there and plot my heart out then write like no one is looking. I’m learning with these weekly writing challenges  I’m doing with Didi Oviatt to be more of a panster.

Am I the only one who gets hung up on commas? Do they make you go blah! when you’re writing?

I used to be a complete grammar Nazi! Everything had one way – the RIGHT way – and that was it. I think that was just the way I was taught and being born before the internet – fetch me pipe and slippers – was invented meant things didn’t change much. Language is fluid, always changing especially globally, so I’ve relaxed my perspective. I’ve gone all Zen and become enlightened, at peace with the world of the comma. Apostrophes though those little…

As long as what you write is easily readable and makes sense I don’t think there need be any hard rules about punctuation.

Every writer has a word(s) that they always slip up on when they write, then slap their forehead when they notice their typo. For me it’s further and farther exit or exists-  but hey I’m over it now.  Do you have a word (s) that make you go blah! Go away not another damn typo.

It’s an odd one and just down to muscle memory but I find my writing peppered with ‘fro’ instead of ‘for’. It’s literally just down to the sequence my hands tap the keys in but as for is a word, the spell check never picks it up. I have to run a search/replace at the end of everything just in case I’ve done it again. Apart from that I’m a fairly good spellist but it also depends on what version of English I’m writing in. US publishers obviously want US spellings and grammar so I end up typing neighbour instead of neighbor but I set the language at the beginning of every document so the machine picks it up for me. I have got to the point I’ve been writing ‘realize’ with the ‘z’ no matter what version of English I’m writing in too.

Kim: Interesting, ya know I write and spell in British English only. It used to really annoy me when my publisher in the USA changed my spellings. I’d go back in and change them. In my head I thought, this is how I spell this so I want it as I spell it, see the logic.

What three tips would you give any aspiring writer?

Choose whether you’re writing for fun or profit and if it’s for profit, make sure you know the market you’re writing for. Don’t try to be different or quirky because you won’t sell. Find out reader expectations by reading as much in the genre as you can and emulate the style. Don’t plagiarise obviously but try to copy the style and voice of the top sellers in your chosen genre or, I’m afraid you’re not likely to get anywhere.

Believe in yourself. It’s cliché and trite and all that but if you don’t, you’ll give up. I did for years, never believing in myself, never thinking I was good enough but I think I am and I’m gonna make a living from being a writer.

Learn the business of marketing. I never bothered and again thought I’d be no good at it but I found out how much people were making from my ghostwriting just by knowing a few marketing skills. It’s a long, slow battle and takes away from your writing time but I think it’s the single biggest thing you need to know how to do whether you’re self published or traditionally published.

Kim: Amen to the last point, this is a must. Thank you Gavin great tips.

What are you working on now? What will you release next?

A sort of paranormal romance I’ve called Time to Turn Back.  It features a guy, Xander, who can see the past by connecting with people and objects. The protagonist, Katriona, loses her Gramps (who raised her after her parents were killed) and discovers he had a secret family she never knew about before he married her grandmother. Needless to say she discovers Xander who helps her discover the truth about her Gramp’s past. It’s got Russian gangsters, a little bit of funny and a cat called Humboldt.

Kim: Ha! A lil’ gangster ha? As well as romance. It’s on the read list keep us posted. 🙂 I’m quite excited for this.

So…where can we get your books?

Amazon, unfortunately. I’m not keen on all their policies and how they treat authors but they’ve managed to become the biggest name in the book industry and by making it free to publish your own stuff they’ve just about cornered the market. So yeah, there it is until I can generate a massive following and publish elsewhere as well.

Amazon UK link – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071CR7GS4

Kim: Take a look at smashwords.com good luck, shout me if you need a hand with publishing here.

What does “success” look like to you? When would you say “damn, I’ve made it baby!”

I think if I was able to pay all my bills and live the life I would like to – a humble one – from writing I’d call that a success. I wouldn’t want to be a celebrity but a few nice emails from fans would be nice. I actually enjoy what I do so in a way I’m a success already.

Kim: Gavin you’re just too cute, fan mail? Really? … I’ve read your first book I’m “a fan.” *chuckles*

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

I think big egos hurt anyone don’t they? I suppose it depends on how people handle the ego they’ve got. If they’re the kind of pleb that goes around belittling everyone they meet I expect it’s going to hurt them in the long run. Karma, baby! Watch out for it.

Kim: Yes, karma is very real.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

Sickeningly little as I’m lazy. If I have to look something up I do it in the middle of writing then shut the internet back down. I’m one of the infuriating people who aren’t addicted to the internet. (sorry) I’ll let you into a secret as long as you promise not to tell anyone. I don’t have a mobile phone. Not even an old Nokia kicking about in a drawer somewhere. Here’s a funny story though, I’m just finishing up Time to Turn Back and it features the baddy, Dimitri, searching for this necklace his grandmother gave to Kat’s grandfather. When I had a brief search for the Russian royal jewels it turns out a few pieces went missing during the Bolshevik rule one of which was a necklace! Weird eh?

Kim: Ha ! That is so bizarre, it’s a sign you need to finish up that book. As for not having a mobile phone, I had to sit for a moment and imagine what that might feel like. Probably quite stress free I’d imagine. The internet will really put you as an author out there Gavin… join us friend!

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

I’ve only had a few so far and yes I’ve read them. Luckily they’ve been either positive or not so nasty they’ve ripped my heart out. You’re going to get bad reviews as you’re never going to please everyone but if you’ve put your heart and soul into a book and you believe it’s the best it can be, just let the bad ones wash over you. If the criticism is constructive – use it to improve.

Kim: well I bought and read your first published contemporary romance book. You’ll have another one on Amazon soon!

Do you Google yourself?

Not myself no. I do usually check to see if any new blog posts come up just after I’ve written them. If not I try and adjust the keywords until I come up somewhere near the first page. No one’s going to see you if not.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Couple of months for the first draft then about twenty years redrafting until I get it right! No, I try to get it done as fast as I can without reducing quality so I’d aim for about six months or less from idea to published.

What’s your favourite movie?

OMG how can I even pick ONE? If I was in some kind of ‘Desert Island’ situation I suppose it would have to be Love Actually.

Kim: *Smiles* you really enjoy romance don’t you. *chuckles with laughter.*

What’s your favourite book and why?

OMG again! It’s a series actually, The Redemption trilogy by Mike Smith. It’s one of those that I can read over and over without getting bored. The characters are like friends at the end and although it’s sci-fi it’s a romance too. The main character, Jon Radec, is so devoted to the woman he loves that he’ll do anything to get to her. And if he can’t get to her he’ll destroy anything or anyone in his way. Have a look, the first book, The Last Praetorian, is free so why not?

Kim: *On her way back over to Amazon.*

What music do you like?

A little bit of everything from Country to Heavy Metal, cheesy pop to love songs. I was a hardcore Dire Straits fan for a long time and love ZZ Top but just about anything goes from back in the day to current stuff.

Where would you like to travel to and why?

Promised the wife I’d take her to see the Northern Lights so I suppose I’ll have to go somewhere cold. We both like the idea of Canada so maybe we can do both there. Italy to see the coliseum and other architectural marvels. Venice for the same reasons – tourist stuff. I quite like the idea of going to somewhere like Angkor Wat or any kind of ancient civilisations ruins.

Tell us about how you develop your characters?

I write a very (VERY) basic one page outline with physical appearance and basic characteristics. If they’ve got a catchphrase or particular manner of speech I note it down but other than that, I just grow them during the story. Like I said with the research bit, I’m lazy.

Which one of your characters is your favourite and why?

I like Poppy in Poppy’s Proposal. I think I might have subliminally based her on me a bit more than I liked to admit at the time as I can actually recognise some of her flaws as mine. Of course she’s magnified a hundred times and put through the wringer for comedy effect but I relate to her more than other’s I’ve written.

What would you like readers to know?

Even though I’m a man I can write funny, romantic and realistic stories they’d like to read. Chick lit is so female oriented that the few men that do write it feel the need to use pen names or be relegated to the realms of obscurity. Like ABBA said, take a chance on me.

Kim: Gavin, us female romance readers and lovers of all things romance paranormal, suspense, sci-fi , erotica, comedy whatever … we salute you as a male author entering into this genre. I for one can’t wait to see what you publish after Poppy’s Proposal.  I I really enjoyed it. Very best of luck with with building your readerships and bond with romance junkies.

And that’s a wrap! I really enjoyed getting to know Gavin, I hope you did too. Let’s watch this space, I have a good feeling that Gavin has a good idea about what makes a romance reader swoon. This could be very interesting. Please go ahead and connect with him below and wish him well on his ventures.

Connect With Gavin:
Facebook – Gavin Ough
Pinterest: Gavin Ough

Next month: another fantastic author is lined up. Stay tuned! 

If you’re an author and you’d like to feature in Meet The Author contact me here.

 

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Book Review: Poppy’s Proposal by Gavin Ough 4.5 Wonderful Stars! @gavinough1 #amreading #romancenovels

Have you ever had that feeling when you’re so glad you stumbled across a book? This is how I feel about Poppy’s Proposal. By chance my path crossed with this month’s Meet The Author feature, Gavin Ough, I’m so glad I’ve met him. You can read his featured interview here. Let’s get into the review!

 The Plot:

Genre: Contemporary romance/ chick-lit/ romantic comedy

 This book is set in the UK at one of our popular and beautiful coastal seaside towns, Cornwell. I hate spoilers so I won’t give too much away. Poppy left school with not much in terms of qualifications. She’s now in her early thirties, and works in a hotel. Even though she’s surrounded by a great line up of entertaining co-workers and her girlfriend Rhea, life to her feels pretty mundane and boring. Her job is not exciting and her love life is non existent, until her path crosses with Aussie Greg and a rich high flying man, named Andrew. Both men take an interest in her, she can’t decide between the two. She decides to date both. It goes horribly wrong! There’s some drama and laughs once it does. But Poppy ends up in a happy place very unexpectedly.  Her personal life, love life and professional life all pick up. She has a great happy ever after, told in a very cleaver and unsuspecting way. She finds Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome and Poppy grows as a woman, with a massive life change.

My Review:

This book if you have not guessed by now is authored by a male writer! Massive props to Mr. Ough as he writes this genre so well, he should stick to it and write more. I like his style. Poppy’s proposal has everything a chick-lit/romantic comedy fan would expect from this genre. This genre is hard to write well and keep readers engaged, without being ridiculous. This has always been my “issue” with this type of romance. Uhh ahh you won’t find this with this author. There was laughter, fun, drama, and a massive dose of British humour which I loved. For me personally Poppy’s Proposal offered me what was missing in my reading life…good ol’ romantic humour! And lighthearted banter, wrapped up in a very enjoyable realistic story. This is the first romantic comedy/chick- lit story I’ve read, in probably four years when I thought about it. It reminded me why I need to read this genre more, and find good writers like Mr. Ough.

I really liked the setting of this book, a busy seaside town in the south west of the UK. I was drawn to the descriptions of the town and hotel, it resonated with me being British, and having visited Cornwell  just last summer too.

The character line up is diverse in terms of personalities and quirks. Aussie Greg, Techno Alan, Jane and Jimbo,  are just a few of the well developed characters. What I loved a lot is that this author was able to write these characters, with their relevant accents and be consistent and entertaining. The level of banter in this book is high. As a British reader I got the humour, at times I really did laugh our loud at it. Poppy is very entertaining with her thoughts and actions. Rhea her frank, straight talking best friend I connected with well.

Now, let’s get into Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome. The key feature for us romance junkies. What impressed me also, is this male author was able to write such a swoon worthy Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome. Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome was in the background, we meet him early as readers. For me he went from a background character to swoon worthy really well. He passed all my checklist points as a romance junkie. Handsome? Umm hmm I got the feeling via Poppy’s POV he was a strapping well built man, with great looks and nice eyes. Did he fight for his woman?  Umm hmm almost physically he did! *spoiler alert* I won’t say anymore. Was he good in bed? *Kim clears her throat*… well judging by the amount of sex Poppy had with him, I got the impression he was LOL. While the sex scenes were not detailed and graphic (which I would not really expect them to be, in this genre of romance), the author was able to use the great writer’s skill of “show,don’t tell.”  He has mastered this writer’s skill well, readers can draw a clear conclusion. Good job!

Overall, I’m giving Poppy’s proposal 4.5 well deserved stars as it is well written, has an engaging realistic plot, that I could see happening in real life. Especially the twists and turns once Poppy meets Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome. I love the setting, okay bias as I’m British but hey I connected. The entertainment factor is there. This author for a male romance writer, has done a brilliant job with this genre! And massive props should be given for his effort.  The only thing I would have liked to have seen more of, is more drama once Poppy’s busted for her double dating. The men seemed to neatly fall away. That said, it does not take away anything enjoyable from the reading as the story gears up toward a great HEA.

This is a great read for lighthearted romance/ contemporary and chick-lit fans. I will be reading more of this author’s work for sure. Especially once he drops his paranormal romance /sci- fi novel to be released soon I hope! I really look forward to it.

Just .99p on Amazon too! click here.

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Romance Writer’s Blogging Challenge wk# 25: What’s On Kim’s Must Read List & Kindle #MFRW #amreading

I ask myself week after week if I will ever be on time with this challenge? I think the answer is NO. But better late than never. So this week, romance writers are asked what we like to read. What a GREAT topic.

Before I became a writer, if I can call myself that now, with four books under my belt and number five and six dropping in July! I ran a book club here in London for about almost five years. It was a book club for women only. The feel of the club was that it’s our space, our time and place to forget the kids, husbands, work, bills to be paid, and the endless to do list we have as busy working mums, career girls, or stay at home mums. When I set up the club online I wanted to attract women from all walks of life, ages and backgrounds. And that I did! I surprised myself it grew to well over one hundred members. All I wanted was a get away once a month, and to speak to people who loved to read as much as me. I never imagined it would last almost five years and beyond if I  stayed. Not all one hundred members attended each month, but turn out was good and it’s how I met my good friend and now editor. About twenty or so of us each month met up, after we read a choice of two books per month. We met in one of London’s famous book stores in central London, on a Saturday afternoon. Drank wine, talked about books, had lunch and gossiped the afternoon away. It was A LOT of fun. I met some really lovely friends. I only gave up running the club as I scored my first publishing deal, and found it hard to read, meet deadlines with writing, juggle a family as I became a mum and work. I miss it with all my heart. I remember when I was heavily pregnant I’d still fit my fat ass on the bus, and waddle up to the book store in crowded and busy central London protecting my bump, every month. Or I’d talk to the girls and participate via loud speaker on the phone, if I could not make it. Sometimes I feel like starting it all over again.

When it comes to reading, I read a lot and like to read believe it or not genres I don’t write and can’t write. Even if I tried I could not craft a paranormal or sci-fi book. I just don’t have the creativity in that respect. But I love to read it! I also love to read historical fiction. I can turn my hand to a bit of this as a writer. I also love of course romance, suspense, thriller and a good dose of crime fiction. Also urban romance or African – American fiction.

I like books that push boundaries, and I also really love first person story telling, especially in thriller and suspense. Some call this “amateur writing” whatever! It’s not easy to be consistent with it. I like to get up close, and be right next to characters even bad guys. I wrote a blog post on one of my favourite books that inspired me as a writer with this style. It’s Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, Gillian writes first person so so well. I wrote this well over a year ago I think, you can see it here.

Here is a list of my favourite books

  1. Gone Girl- Gillian Flynn
  2. A Thousand Splendid Suns- Khalid Hossani – I read this while in hospital during the birth of my son. I finished it during my labour and stay in the maternity ward. Such a wonderful book.
  3. Americanahh- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – now this lady writes it how she likes it! And she really is herself one of the things I love about her.
  4. Purple Hibiscus- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie .
  5. Half a Yellow Sun-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
  6. Deadly Embrace- Jackie Collins- my inspiration to write my first romantic suspense! Wonderful writer.
  7. Faceless- Martina Cole- great British crime writer, I buy her books whenever she releases them.
  8. Me Before You- Jo Jo Moyes- I’ve read a lot of her books always enjoy them.
  9. Necessary Lies- Diane Chamberlain- Wonderful writer I’ve read a lot of hers.
  10. The Coldest Winter- Sista Souljah- A classic African American story.
  11. Midnight- Sista Souljah- A great love story between an African American immigrant boy and a Japanese girl.
  12. Memoirs of a Geisha- Arthur Golden what a classic.
  13. Women of the Silk-Gail Tsukiyama – my gosh I have never been so blown away by historical fiction.
  14. Language of Threads- Gail Tsukiyama- the follow up to the book above I loved it.
  15. The Seamstress- Maria Duanas – Fantastic historical fiction. This book highlights the strength of  female character set in the backdrop of war. The story spans across north Africa and Spain. Totally engrossing story but a good 500 pages long.
  16. Fifty Shades of Grey all of them- Yeah I went there. No matter what people say about this author’s “simple writing style” Christen Grey totally does it for me!
  17. Crimson Rooms- Katharine McMahon I read this book YEARS ago, and remember it like I remember my own name. Historical fiction featuring a strong woman trying to solve a “problem” of the era.
  18. Jane Eyre- I love Jane!
  19. To Kill a Mocking Bird- Harper Lee…. Need I say more! It’s a classic. One I will make sure my son (who is only three) reads and understands.
  20.  The Colour Purple- Alice Walker- A classic.

I have many more but these are the first twenty that came into my head, while I wrote this writing prompt. I think I will re-read numbers ten – twelve and the follow up stories. Maybe even number five and twenty again.

Can you list twenty or less of your favourite books at the snap of a finger? Share them with me and leave a comment.I’d like to find new books to read.

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Choose The Write!

I read my writing buddy’s post and wondered if she’s having a hard time? Or being judged for her writing style. I’ll be the first one to back the points she’s making in this post. Her writing style is too similar to mine to not feel her anger at being judged. She swears in her writing,she writes about controversial topics,she has portrayed a male serial killer. And that’s why I love her. That’s why fell in love with her work. After she read mine, I read hers and there’s mutual author respect. If you can’t handle a cuss word or two, if you can’t handle a serial killer or two, if you can’t handle a steamy sex scene… or two or three in my case. Then read damn chick-lit it’s as simple as that!

One Eerie Night

A nice lil’ suspenseful short story here. The writer has set the tone nicely, used the five senses to emphasis the eerie feelings. Good job!

Mad and Black's avatarMakawakanaka


The distinctive threatening atmosphere of the night has the nape of my neck on its ends. An invisible emanation of lurk. My phone is dead, I can not alert the man to wait for me by the bus stop. This drop off is a famous mug spot. I jump out of the kombi my heart literally leaping into my month. I take a deep breath to muster all the courage and strength I need to strut down the dark road. It’s so dark I can’t see anything except the dotted lights ahead from nearby homes.

The culmination of unfortunate occurrence is strong. Shit I am scared. I am prepared to scream my lungs out and run as fast as my preggy legs can carry me. I clutch my purse closer to my side. I am on high alert, my eyes darting from side to side. I am walking in the…

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Wk #5 Short Story: “We Only Said Goodbye With Words, I Died A Hundred Times”. @amywinehouse #kdsuspense #amwriting #amreading

Femme Fatale Week!

“We Only Said Goodbye With Words, I Died A Hundred Times.”

Author One Scene One:

Mila Petrov secured her victory rolls, at the front and side of her hair with  bobby pins. A thick cloud of hair lacquer fills the air, to keep everything just as she likes it.The rest of her hair she leaves hanging around her shoulders, in loose waves. She examines her roots closely and winces at the mousy brown shade making its way through. She is hardly Marilyn Monroe and thanked God for it too. Mila is too smart to be caught up in the love affair women seem to have with Marilyn and her style. The craze seems to live on one year after her death in 1963. The blonde bimbo act doesn’t appeal to her. Mila is the opposite in every way to the American “siren” plastered all over the TV screens. She makes a mental note to pick up a bottle of black hair dye, from the chemist on her way back from Camden Town this evening. Her roots are in desperate need of some tender loving care.

Mila lines her full lips with care using her deep red lip pencil, and then fills in the centre with precision using a thin lip brush. Emphasising her cupid’s bow. She admires how the deep blood red shade pops against her pale porcelain skin and jet-black hair. The only clue that her true hair colour was possibly not as deep as the black shade she favours, is her pale blue eyes. A pale blue shade that belongs with mousy brown hair. Picking up her compact, she powders her nose to keep the shine away and steps back from the mirror.

Tonight, her appearance is important, she has business to do and not the kind that she’s used to. Apart from her striking eastern Europe features, her height is the first thing people notice about her. Without her heels Mila stands at five feet ten inches.

Mila sweeps her eyes over her well put together appearance. A red silk blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt, stockings, and a thick black waist belt to help empathise some curves to the naturally boyish figure staring back at her from the mirror. Satisfied with her appearance she steps into her black stiletto heels, adding three inches to her height. Just as she does the phone rings on her desk.

“Eh-llo” Mila’s deep husky voice purrs into the phone.

“Madam Petrov. Your driver is outside for you.”

“I come, geeive me vun second okay.”

Mila places the phone on the receiver and pulls on her black mac jacket. She places her fur around her neck, and grabs her patent ruby red clutch purse. Annoyed at the sight of a smudged nail, she throws her black polish into her purse and sets off toward the door. She stops in her tracks and eyes the vodka bottle and shot glass on the side board by the door. For Dutch courage, she pours a shot of her native Smirnoff vodka and downs it in one, careful not to smudge her lipstick and then confidently walks out the door.

As she makes her way across the landing to take the stairs from her office, she glances in all the rooms in use. Making sure all her girls are well protected and not vulnerable, she introduced see-through panels for each service room of her establishment. Better safe than sorry. The last thing she wants is a murder or rape on her hands, then the London Metropolitan police sniffing around, or even worse tarnish her name and image as London’s top Madam. It’s not worth the risk, security has to be tight at her establishment. God knows she’s worked hard to earn a clean decent reputation as a Madam over the years. Her fight has been intensified by her Russian roots which makes her an outsider in London as it is. Over the years Mila has had to fight for her Russian surname and the right to be a business owner in a foreign land. Being female in 1963 makes the battle even harder.

At times when she switched on her TV and watched the black and white images showing the fight for equality overseas, she applauded every single African -American set to join Dr. Martin Luther King’s peaceful protest for equality in Washington, in just two months’ time. She understands the struggle from overseas for quality as a woman and foreigner well. Her other battle has been attracting and recruiting drug free, classy, sophisticated and street-smart girls. Girls that are not out for a relationship or sugar daddy. Her girls are her warriors from all walks of life, and all backgrounds. When girls show up asking for her name, she asks no questions about what brought them to her door asking for work. Every one of them has a story, including herself as the Madam. Overtime once her new recruits worked out Mila as a Madam is all business– stay pretty, dress well, be street-smart, make money and save for a rainy day they soon fit right in. They share their stories once they feel at home. She protects each of their secrets, passes no judgement and runs a tight ship under the watchful eye of the London Metropolitan Police.

Satisfied nothing untoward is going on on each floor, once at reception Mila walks into the bar area. The atmosphere is relaxed, she takes in the smoke-filled room’s chandeliers, patterned carpets and men sitting around round tables nursing their drinks.

Stevie, her star dressed in a to-the-floor black dress with a deep slit at her cleavage, is on stage putting the crowd under a spell. She takes in Stevie’s pretty face and chocolate colour skin and smiles some more. She makes a note to offer Stevie some extra hours behind the bar this week. Since she joined the team men seem to return in their crowds to watch her in her glamourous dresses, and listen to her hypnotic voice. One thing about Stevie is she knows how to put on a show. A tear away, at just eighteen years old she ran away from her family home in Birmingham, a good few hundred miles from London. Mila doesn’t know her full story yet, but she likes her.

Standing the doorway of the bar entrance, Mila finds herself singing along to Etta James’ At Last  song Stevie’s performing. Her voice rings out commanding the attention it deserves from the room. Mila catches Stevie’s eye and gives her a nod. Stevie returns her boss’ approval with a wink.

“Madam Petrov, ‘ere your car’s waitin’ Ms.”

Fiona’s cockney accent calls from behind the reception. Mila spins in Fiona’s direction, dragging her attention away from Stevie’s spell. Fiona, her bubbly receptionist could talk for London well. The best place for her is on reception, greeting all the punters that come in. Pretty as a picture in the true to form Marylin Monroe sense. With her bottle blonde hair backcombed to at least three inches, Fiona was another gem to have on her team. She’s no fool, Fiona left school without a qualification to her name,but one thing Fiona knows is how to make money. Fiona is full of hustle,she has a head for figures. Mila set her up with minding the weekly payroll she trusts her.

“Yes, yes, I come now.”

Mila walks over with long strides to the reception desk.

“Fiona, vhat time Stevie finish?”

“Ah, let me just check ‘er shift Ms.” “9:30 tonight Ms.”

Mila nods and pouts her red lips.

“Hmm, I no coming back on time maybe. Tell Stevie she must see me this veek, next shift. Very important okay.”

“Righty-oh Ms.”

Mila sweeps her eyes over her establishment one last time.

“Keep close eye, any undercover pigs you follow plan.” Mila fixes Fiona with a stern look.

“Yes Madam Petrov, I know the score.”

Fiona does a small salute to the boss lady and smiles.

Mila nods. Without so much as a goodbye to Fiona, she turns on her heels and sashays out to her car. Fiona watches her boss and smiles.

“Evenin’ Ms. Petrov.”

Mila slides into the back of the slick black Cadillac behind her driver. Before she even acknowledges his greeting, she pulls out her long black cigarette holder and removes a slim smoke.

“Gowood evening Stanley.”

“Where to Ms.?”

Mila lights her smoke and takes a long calming pull.

“Camden Town, to the old vare-house. Stanley vhere you put vodka?”

Stanley leans over to the glove compartment, and hands Mila a quarter bottle of Smirnoff. She takes it and stares at him confused.

“Vere shot glass? Lipstick very important.”

Mila’s husky playful voice, and deep Russian accent fills the car. Stanley laughs and hands his favourite client her beloved shot glass, and set off toward London Bridge to cross the river from south London to Camden Town.

Thirty minutes later Mila places her heels on the ground as she steps out of the Cadillac, mindful of the puddles. It started to rain and she forgot her umbrella. Cursing London’s unpredictable weather, she prays that her hair lacquer is strong enough to hold her victory rolls in place, and her fur is not ruined. She hands Stanley a note to pay her fare.

“Keep change, meet me ‘ere in vun hour.”

“Right you are Ms. as you please.”

Stanley tips his hat and set off in the direction he came from. Mila turns and knocks on the large steel door. A tall black male opens up and tips his hat.

“Madam Petrov, evening. Just this way, Mr. Startskiv is through here.”

With attitude Mila pauses her red lips and lifts her chin, as she gives him a nod and follows behind him. Mila enters a dimly lit den with five men in sharp suits around a table playing poker. The air is filled with cigar smoke and a black and white movie is playing in the background. Five pairs of eyes turn her way and sweep her over from head to toe.

“Madam Petrov, please sit, nice to see you.”

“Mr. Startskiv, vhat I owe you on ‘dis visit? I ‘ave business to run.”

“Yes, Madam I know your time is precious, please sit. Vould you like vodka or something cool to drink?”

“Mr. Startskiv, I Russian like you, vhat you think I drink, vater?”

Mila responds full of light sarcasm.

Mr. Startskiv snaps his fingers, one of his men pours Mila a shot of Smirnoff and places it at the sixth seat at the table. Mila’s heels click on the concrete floor as she walks over to the table, undoes her mac and removes her fur. She eyes the men around the table as she sits down. With her legs crossed at the knees all men eye her like a piece of meat. Mila pulls herself up to her full height, refusing to be intimidated by the dicks in the room. She picks up her glass and knocks back her shot of Smirnoff, then slams the glass on the table. Mr. Startskiv breaks the silence in the room.

“Madame Petrov, the Russian mafia have had some dealings ‘ere in London. We need your assistance. We ‘ave a man we need to take down. He not playing ball .”  Mr. Startskiv uses his hands as quotation marks around playing ball, to emphasise his point.

“Dis is where you come in. You don’t know me, but my sources tell me you are London’s top Madam with a busy… er… how you say? Entertainment ‘ouse. You don’t know me but you can trust me, one Russian to another.”

Mr. Startskiv gives Mila a sly smile and a wink, flashing perfect white teeth against his pale skin and slicked back blond hair.Mila leans forward on the table and raises one of her thin black penciled eyebrows in Mr. Startskiv’s direction.

“Vhat you vant? I no put business or girls in risk… never.”

“Don’t worry… Mila if I may call you that?”

Mila’s heart jumps into her chest no one in London knows her as Mila anymore how does he? She keeps her poker face in check.

“No risk. I need a… how you say Femme Fatale to catch man, go to bar or party catch him in trap and keep him for me at hotel. You understand yes?”

“No, I business woman now I not  risk my business or living for silly Russian man games.”

Mila gets to her feet, the four other men around the table except for Mr. Startskiv stand up, and move toward her. Mila throws her head back and laughs out loud at the men.

“I see, I ‘ave no choice, is ‘dis it?”

“Madam Petrov you ‘ave choice, play ball or lose life. Choice yours?”

Mr. Startskiv responds with a casual tone from his seat across the table.

“Why you choose me?”

Mila demands her annoyance on full show.

“You Russian, can’t trust English girl they take money, no do good job. You understand vhat business means. I pay you well. Plus, every man vant to be seduced by London’s top Madam. From vhat I hear you are very successful and desirable. Forbidden fruit, no blonde bimbo… real woman, Russian woman.”

Mr. Startskiv slides a picture across the table, Mila glances down from her standing position and drops to her seat as she snatches up the picture. My God, it’s him?

Mila moulds her pretty pixie like features into her business poker face. Reserved for all the male dicks that try to push her around.They have no clue how bad this bitch is, a true rebel for a woman of the sixties, she never conforms. She knows how to deal with men like Stratskiv who see her as a pretty face, and think flattery will get them everywhere. She brushes a black fingernail across her chin as she studies the picture with a pout. Her long eye lashes slowly raise to Mr. Startskiv. In a low drawl she commands his attention.

“ ‘ow you know this man?”

Her hands shake as she holds the picture, she tries to control it.

“And vhere vodka?”

“Mr. Startskiv snaps his fingers again for her drink. In record time her shot glass is refilled. As one of the henchmen turn to leave her side with the bottle of Smirnoff, she grabs it from his hand and slams it down next to her.

“Leave ‘ere. Vant vodka. And you, answer me now ‘ow you know this man?”

Mila turns her attention back to the man across the table.

“He is our marked man, I can’t say how we are  connected let’s just say unfinished business.”

Mila’s heart drops into the depths of her stilettos. The man staring back at her in the picture is her estranged husband. She’s sure of it, he hasn’t changed. When she arrived in London, fifteen years ago aged twenty with not a penny to her name from Russia, she met and fell in love with one of London’s most feared men. His name was enough to send chills down any wanna be hard man’s spine. They married and had a rocky two year marriage. Gangsters are not husband material. She learned the hard way. One night he did the classic “going out for cigarettes babe” and never returned home. She was left abandoned, penniless and barely spoke English. To keep a roof over her head, Mila worked the streets of London, turning tricks in every grotty backstreet alley you could imagine. That was until she got fed up. She found a job as a cleaner at a hotel for the rich and famous over in central London. That’s when she discovered rich men like to take women to hotels for sex in this country too, not just alleyways.

She saved her money and worked her cleaning job every hour she could, while she took English lessons in secret from an aging Madam whose business had gone to pot. Her path crossed Madam Laurence’s  one night at a bar in central London, when she stopped off for a drink to drown her sorrows over her losses and homesick feeling. She had little friends, not many she could trust.

Madam Laurence was looking for a hardworking successor. The two women hit it off like a house on fire, regardless of the forty year age difference with Madam Laurence in her sixties and Mila in her early twenties, a sisterhood was made. The relationship and affiliation was kept a secret, in fear the other working girls would become jealous. Once Mila’s English was good enough, she was never seen again at Madam Laurence’s but they stayed in contact. Once she passed three years after they met the old Madam left her business to her. Mila took over, by age twenty five she reinvented herself. She dyed her hair black and teased it into the biggest beehive,  perfected her make-up routine, learned how to walk in the highest of heels and pencil skirts, and became Madam Petrov to anyone who asked. She left Mila the helpless Russian mousy brown doll behind.

By then the girls at the establishment she once knew had moved on. The moment she placed her heels across the threshold of Madam Laurence’s old establishment things changed. Skirts above the knee were sent home, heels lower than three inches were not allowed, and nails always manicured. Mila’s vision included classy girls of every shade on show, sexy but not whores.  That’s the only way they could get away with charging premium prices for their services. Her girls were not whores, more like business women. If men were dumb enough to pay for it, her girls would exploit it and make a killing in the process.That was ten years ago. Now aged thirty five, almost fifteen years after the bastard left her they would meet again. They only said goodbye with words, Mila died a hundred times.  Could she do it? Could she help seal her estranged husband’s fate? Or would she fall for him again once she saw him. He’d never recognise her now, at least that’s what she thinks. She looks so far removed from the Mila he once knew.

Author Two Scene Two:

Mila forces her breath to even and her hands to still. The face in the photo has aged some, but those eyes are unmistakable. They pierce into her like a knife, raising the question she’d asked herself over and over for years. How could that heartless prick just up and leave the way he did? Another shot is downed, and Mila can feel every eye in the room as they stare her down with anticipation.

She looks around at the burly men, all muscle and no brains. Mila has never had much respect for the muscle, even when she was married to Dmitry. It’s probably what attracted her to him in the first place. He was smart, a leader, much like this Mr. Startskiv that has somehow managed to track her down and force her into such a tight spot. Her back is straight with courage as she takes a deep look into the faces of each man surrounding her and then addresses the mindless Russian thugs directly.

“You might as vell sit. ‘Dis take time.”

All heads turn to the head of the table. Silently they wait for their boss’ permission. They can’t even sit back down without the go ahead from their master. Mila rolls her eyes at the notion and watches as Mr. Startskiv sweeps an arm in front of himself, indicating for his men to have a seat. His other hand rests on the table, drumming fingers on the dark cherry wood. She locks eyes with him, allowing one corner of her perfectly painted lips to match the upturned smirk of his.

This could be her chance to get back at Dmitry for leaving her the way he did. On the outside Mila sits tall, her body language is cool and collected. On the inside she is writhing with her body’s recollection of all the pain and violation she endured by the hands of men throughout the years, all because of Dmitry. She’s made up her mind, but not because of the threat on her life. Mila wants revenge on the man that spat on her life. The only man she has ever truly loved yet detested all at the same time. The man who took her youth and left her to rot as an outsider in an unfamiliar place. The prick will finally pay for what he done to her.

“Vhy you pick me? You tell real reason Mr. Startskiv. Or there no deal.”

A thick rolling laughter bursts from his lips. The other men chuckle lightly in tow, following his lead.

“Vhy Mila, you ‘ave all de spunk I been told.”

The sound of her name spewing from his lips sends a white hot chill up her spine. Mila pulls a new cigarette from her case and lights it, taking her time. After a long relaxing drag she leans across the table on her elbows, giving the boss man a teasing view down the neckline of her classy silk shirt.

“You don’t pick me ‘cause I Russian.”

She smiles, flashing perfectly white veneers.

“How you know my name? You tell truth, and we play.”

All the chuckles disappear and the feel of the room turns to that of serious business. Mr. Startskiv isn’t there to play childish games, and neither is Mila. He explains to her that she’s been checked in on from time to time since her marriage, but refuses to reveal by who. Apparently Dmitry was a wanted man by many, and him leaving her was no coincidence. Not only did he leave Mila to rot, but he also took millions of pounds from the wrong men.

“So after all vem years, you still look for him, da?”

“Da.”

Mr. Startskiv tilts his head to the side and glances at Mila down the length of his pointed nose. He waits a moment for her to process all the information, watching her closely until her cigarette stops smouldering in her long black holder. She taps it out in the tray, swallows another full shot, and then nods to herself while in thought.

“Vhy me? You still no answer. Any voman could do job.”

“Dmitry a smart man.”

Mr. Startskiv says, finally leaning forward to mirror her body language.

“He don’t go to rooms vith other vomen. We try already. But you, Madam, we know he have veakness for a voman like you. You change, but you still remind him of who you vere.”

Mila understands perfectly the game Mr. Startskiv is playing at. She also knows the danger involved.

“Vone condition.” She says.

“Da?”

“Ve do dis now. Tonight. My girls, my place, ‘ave nothing to do wit dis.”

Mr. Startskiv nods in thought and rubs his chin with his thumb and forefinger. She’s right, and he knows it. Dmitry moves around way too often. If he’s going to let Mila live once it’s all said and done then she can’t keep meeting with him or be taken to a different city. There can’t be any ties or suspicion. She’s also right about keeping her girls out of it. They can’t be trusted, none of them. If Mila is willing to follow through without force then he needs to act on it. Mr. Startskiv locks his gaze on her enchanting blue eyes.  

“Alright, Madam. We do ‘dis your vay.”

Mila removes her elbows from the table, sits straight in her chair, and runs a hand down her blouse to smooth away any wrinkles. A diamond plated watch tells her the time and she smiles to herself. This is going to be too easy. Dmitry surely hasn’t changed much, and he isn’t as smart as Mr. Startskiv is giving him credit for. If there’s one thing she’s learned as a Madam, is that men are predictable. Even the smartest and richest men can be creatures of habit.

“We ‘ave vun hour.”

She says, faced smoothed, showing no emotion.

“Dmitry drink scotch, same time every night. If he at hotel, he’ll be in bar at midnight.”

Mr. Startskiv smiles an evil smirk. He likes the way she thinks, and is growing eager to hear more of her quickly formulated yet still sure plan.

“Go on.”

He encourages before swallowing a shot of vodka himself.

“Clean, simple. You get room now at same place. ‘ave men vait in room, and I bring him to you before vun-oh-clock.”

“Thirty minutes?” he chuckled under his breath. “Are you really so confident?”

Mila puts her best grin on display,

“Mr. Startskiv, I can do it in ten.”

“Done.” He agrees.

The place is small, and the music is soft. It’s the type of hotel bar that mostly business men spend their time in. The tables and stools are tall, sitting on heavy metal frames. The bar top is made of thick marbled granite, the floors are tile, and the drinks are expensive. Mila doesn’t bat an eye at the price, she also doesn’t mind being the only woman at the bar. Two men have offered to buy her a drink, and she’s waived them off with a mere flick of the wrist, and then tipped the bartender substantially to decline any further offers on her behalf. There is no time for the nonsense of wanting men, there is only one man in particular that she’s interested in seeing tonight. She orders a dry martini to sip on and waits. Cool and collected, she’s imagined an opportunity like this to present itself for a very long time.  

It’s been years since Mila’s allowed herself to be the bait, but for Dmitry she’s willing to revisit such unpleasantries. As a cooling sip of the dry martini sloshes through Mila’s teeth she thinks of all the men who had their way with her. Back alleys and cheap hotels played too big a part in her life, and soon Dmitry would pay for it all. A nervous heart thumps in her chest, if only she can get through the night without the butterflies in her stomach taking over.

Just as the big and little hand on her watch were both pointing straight up Dmitry sauntered in. The scent of his cologne and the sound of his voice gave him away before his face  even came into view. The predictable bastard still wears the same scent, go figure, she thought. He slides himself casually onto the barstool next to hers, of course he does. Being the only woman in the bar, and dressed for success, she isn’t surprised that he moved right in.

Out the corner of her eye, Mila drinks in her prey. He’s dressed in a well tailored suit, and  the colour of his skin has been darkened some by a clear kiss of the sun. A healthy glow radiates from him, just as it always had all those years ago. Even through the fabric of his suit Mila could tell Dmitry had kept up on his physic. His long arms were still thick, and shoulders wide. She always knew he would age well, there was never a doubt about that. If anything, she was surprised that he had lived as long as he had. The lifestyle he always led didn’t exactly scream retirement.

It’s showtime, she thought. Mila’s husky voice was low yet very sexy, a clear giveaway of her once buried identity. If nothing else it could easily be a giveaway to her estranged husband. She’d have to use other means to lure him in than conversation. She’d used the hour gap wisely, despite the growing effect of vodka in her veins. Bright green contacts covered her once beautiful blue eyes, and a fresh coat of lipstick and powder perfected her facial features. Mila had even gone to the extreme of a deep blush to accentuate the contours of her cheekbones.  One more step to alter the babyface that Dmitry once knew well.    

Mila turned gracefully on her backless stool to face him, and with a straight spine, and legs crossed at the ankles she leaned against the bar on one arm. When he looked up into her face, their eyes locked. Mila batted her thick blackened lashes and pushed her full red lips into a slight pout in his direction. She looked deep into his eyes, searching his soul for answers to all the unanswered questions swirling in her mind. God, he was still gorgeous. A few moments of an unspoken energy pulled the two closer together.

Dmitry leans in Mila’s direction, smitten by the mysterious confidence that seemed to project out of her every pore. Who is this foreign vixen eyeing him like she was ready to swallow him whole? Dmitry was instantly smitten, and unable to pull his attention away from her intoxicating stare. She reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t put a finger on who it was. There was a familiarity in the shape of her jaw, and structure of her shoulders and hands. He cleared his throat, using his best effort to collect the wandering thoughts.

“Hello darlin.”

Dmitry had mastered several languages while on the run, and could project practically any accent he’d seen fit. Whenever in London, he made his best effort to hide his Russian roots. He had too many enemies here, and there were way too many thugs that could recognise him if he let a smidgen of his real accent slip through. Even after all these years, Dmitry found it best to stay cautious. The woman only responded to him with a slight upturn of one side of those perfectly coloured lips. Dmitry found himself staring at the deep red tint of them and imagining how they tasted.

“You gotta’ name love?”

He watched the woman closely, as she flashed him a beautiful smile. The grin didn’t touch her eyes. There was something different about her gaze, something primal. There was wild excitement he could see past the colour of them, and it made his cock twitch. That never happens with merely a look. Dmitry noted her classy dress, well kept hair and expensive taste in jewellery. This woman wasn’t the average hooker, waiting to take a guy’s money in a business bar. She was different. The woman staring him down was independent, he could tell by just one look that she could hold her own. He waited patiently for an answer to his question.

Mila shook her head no, and then answered smoothly with a quick, “Nah,” followed by another grin and bat of her lashes.

“Oh come on.”

Dmitry pushed

“You gotta’ give me somethin’ darlin, I’m dyin’ ‘ere.”

Without taking her eyes off of his, Mila let her hand softly trial down the length of her neck. She stopped at the one inch of cleavage that was already on display and then she slowly and seductively pulled apart the next button of her top.

Dmitry’s eyes widened and he wiggled some in his seat to adjust the hardening between his legs. As if under some sort of spell his heart leaps in his chest. The inpointable, yet strangely familiar pull he felt for this vixen instantly intensified as he fixed his gaze on her slightly exposed plump chest. Wanting eyes swept over the length of her long legs, and clearly expensive black stilettos. He couldn’t help but to picture black lace panties matching the heels. Dmitry’s neck heated under his collar, forcing his hand up to loosen his tie.

Mila knew that motion well. Time hadn’t changed him by much, as he was still drawn to her chest over the rear. When they were married, it never took long after he’d adjusted his collar to be deep inside of her. No matter where they were, the heating of Dmitry’s neck always meant that he was good and ready for her. Mila took that as her que. She swallowed what was left of her drink and then slowly stood to her feet, pressing her chest in his direction while standing.

She ran her freshly repainted nails softly down his chest and stopped it at his belt, giving him a quick teasing nudge. Then she tilted her head and looked over at the door very obviously, knowing full well that he would follow her out.

Dmitry couldn’t believe what had just happened. He wasn’t one to follow a woman, or to pay money for one either. He had no desire for random hook ups, and hadn’t for years. He was too old for young tarts who would give it to any man for a buck. But, this woman was more. She was too old to be a hooker, and too beautifully independent to need a man for money. The need to know more about this quiet vixen was a stronger curiosity than he’d ever felt before. Without hesitation he followed her. Wanting eyes never moved from her swaying hips, shapely back, and tall neckline as he walked behind her through the twists and turns of the hotel halls.

As she stopped at a door and reached for her key card, Dmitry took her hand in his. A delicate kiss was placed on the tips of her fingers. After taking the key from her grasp he opened the door and pulled her into a passionate embrace as they entered the room.

Mila was taken off guard with the kiss. It was everything she remembered, full of emotion and desire. Her eyes opened a crack to look behind her lover, only to see three men standing behind them… Waiting to finish him off. She did her job and delivered Dmitry to Mr. Startskiv, yet at this very moment she wanted nothing more than to rip his clothes off and remind him of what he lost, what he left behind. She longed for his touch, and to become one again, with their bodies tangled in love. It could never happen and Mila knew that.

She pulled from their kiss and whispered in the ear of her lost lover,

“Goodbye, Dmitry. I’ve missed you.”

 

The choppy sound of Dmitry’s quickly silenced scream echoed down the hall behind her as she made her way to the exit. The final piece of her past would be laid to rest for good. Mila knew that it was the only way, yet she would carry a part of Dmitry with her forever. Just as she always had.

Thank you for reading! We had fun this week, stepping into the shoes of a Russian Femme Fatale. So Guys Didi and I will pause on week #6 to get together a lil’ something special. This week is the last poll, we’ll do one last story then have one week to pause and step into week #7’s story/poll.  Stay tuned!

Credit to: Amy Winehouse  for the use of her song lyrics “we only said goodbye with words, I died a hundred times.” 

Song: Back to Black

R.I.P Amy! Thanks For Leaving Behind Wonderful Music, To Inspire Two Writers To Write.

 

Updated-Telling-Tales-Weekly-Challenege-Kim-&-Didi

This interactive writing challenge is simple and insanely creative. It’s a group effort and we are so glad to have you join in the writing fun!!  I hope you’re ready to challenge Didi and I by choosing which prompts we can transform into stellar suspense!  Give us your best shot!  You vote on our weekly prompt, and we provide the entertainment. It’s that simple!  The super easy steps are as follows:

STEP ONE: Every Wednesday well post a voting pole with a few prompts to choose from.
STEP TWO: With the click of a button, you cast your vote on a prompt. (voting will stay open for three days.)
STEP THREE: READ AND ENJOY!  Every week on the following Tuesday we will post the short story that transformed from the very winning prompt you chose!
 
All comments on the story posts will be open. We love feedback, and I’m willing to bet you will never guess who wrote what!!   Therein a challenge of your own! (Yes, one of us writes in British English, and one of us in American. We are well aware, and ready for some trickery. Trust me, we are brilliant at adapting styles.) 
We never discuss who should write what, or how the story starts or ends it’s a surprise for us too. 🙂

Read week 1-4’s stories here click me!