The cold weather and rain continues here in NZ, no surprises there, it is winter after all. I finished up my 21-day challenge with almost 51,000 words and I got to write ‘The End’ on Charlie and Randolph’s story which will be out (all going to plan) in August.

I’ve just made a start on Secrets of the Soul, and hope to have that as my October release – but life happens so I’ll see how it goes.

And I’m proud and pleased to announce my first Anthology is now live! Uncontrolled Chaos got a shiny #1 banner today, and will be available for the month of August. All proceeds go to Dani Gray, one of our own amazing MM romance authors in need of a mobility scooter to help make her life a little (or a lot) easier. – Check out the details below 🙂 

Let me introduce this week’s guests, Kristian Parker and Jaiyde Thomas.

Uncontrolled Chaos

Anthology Available For A Limited Time Only

Knock, knock…is anyone there? I’m here to tell you about this book! It’s a collection of MM short stories from some of your favorite authors. They’ve all gotten together and put them into this book of Uncontrolled Chaos, and now you get to enjoy it too!

But, the book will only be available for the month of August. Don’t wait to get your copy, because as soon as the month’s done, so will this book.

Enjoy the madness…because I know that the writers all had a great time putting these stories together.

Author Bio

I have written for as long as I could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to read, and I love to create worlds and characters.

I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.

Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories. In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.

Kristian’s Quirky Questions

Holly: If you could live anywhere real or imaginary where would it be and why? 

Kristian Parker: As a total Star Wars nerd, I’d love to live in a galaxy far, far away. Imagine having the freedom to scoot from one planet to the next. I’d probably pick up my favourite character, C-3P0. I’m sure we could find some adventures to get into. Even if we were both panicking the whole time!

Holly: What fictional character would you like to spend an evening with, and why? 

Kristian: Tom Hardy’s version of Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. No questions. I’ve always been obsessed with the psychopath Heathcliff. I’d love to understand where all that rage came from. Of course, if he had the looks of Mr Hardy, well perhaps the evening could become a whole night?

Holly: What other artistic pursuits (if any) do you indulge in apart from writing? 

Kristian: I am a knitter. I find it so therapeutic. I’m not the best at just sitting and watching television. Instead, I get those needles going. I’m lucky enough to have two beautiful babies come into my life in the last year. I’m already planning what to make for part of their Christmas presents.  

Holly: We know what you like to write, but what do you like to read in your free time, and why? 

Kristian: Ever since I fell down the MM romance rabbit hole, I have discovered so many wonderful writers. Some of my favourites are Vin George, Fearne Hill, Thom Collins, Peter Fenton, Lily Morton, Charlie Novak, Con Riley, Katherine McIntyre and Lane Hayes. I’m sure I’ve missed loads. 

However, I also think it’s important to read widely to find inspiration. Other writers I love are David Mitchell, Tracy Chevalier, Jasper Fforde, George Eliot, the Brontes and sometimes a decent Agatha Christie. 

Holly: What qualities do you and your characters share? How much are you like them, or how different are they from you? 

Kristian: There is a little bit of me in every character. I have to be able to identify with them to understand where their story needs to go. Sometimes, other people serve as inspiration, be it good or be it bad. I’ll leave it up to the readers to guess which parts of my stories are from experience and which are from my imagination.

Holly: How did you come up with the idea for this book?

Kristian: Well Public Affair features a PR guru and a politician. I feel that the news is full of negative political stories these days. I wanted to create an MP who genuinely wants to make a difference. There are many of those and I think it must be terrible for them to see their world being dragged through the mud. 

Public Affair is the fourth in my Queens Crescent series but the main character, Nihal Varma, has been around since book one. I knew I wanted his story to be one of heart. Nihal has always been a self-confident man about town who lived to make money. I was determined that he was going to have his world turned upside down. That’s the best bit of love, after all. 

Holly: What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Kristian: It took me a few false starts to really get the dynamic between Nihal and Carl. I didn’t want Carl to come across as preachy. He is astute and knows that he needs PR to get to where he needs to be. Yet, it is an alien world to him. Whereas Nihal can promote anything. From alcoholic lollies to kiss and tell stories. When he starts to work with Carl, he realizes his usual methods aren’t going to be enough.

Holly: What do you do when you get writer’s block? 

Kristian: I’m a planner so I don’t often get writer’s block. Sometimes there might be a story hurdle to overcome. I think it’s best not to try and force it. I’ll get on with something else and let it fester in my subconscious until I discover the solution. 

Holly: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? 

Kristian: Don’t make sensible decisions, just go for it. If you have something burning inside you, it ultimately drags you down if there isn’t an outlet. Since I got serious about writing a good few years ago, I’ve never been happier. I’ve a long way to go but at least I’m on the road. 

Holly: Do you ever base your characters on real people? Do you tell them? 

Kristian: Characters aren’t necessarily based on people however their names are! I am terrible at thinking up names so for secondary characters I use people in m life. I’ll swap surnames etc. My friend from the day job who reads my books thinks it’s hilarious when she stumbles across colleagues’ names. It’s like a little game for her while she’s reading.

Public affair

London is in the grip of a heatwave, but something else is causing Nihal Varma’s temperature to skyrocket.

The CEO of a PR agency, he’s used to dealing with glamourous and beautiful people. He’s woken up with a lot of them too.

Yet when Carl Carrington, MP and candidate for leader of the opposition, walks into his office, Nihal finds himself a bag of nerves. And that never happens. He soon discovers that not only is Carl stunning to look at, he radiates decency. In Nihal’s world, that’s a very rare commodity.

When Carl insists on working with Nihal only, he’s entranced. Could this MP be interested in a man whose past is…chequered, to say the least? Nihal ‘I don’t do relationships’ Varma really hopes so. Even if getting involved with a client, especially such a high-profile one, is not just crazy. It’s insane.

But for once Nihal is out of control and that makes a man do very strange things…

Teaser from Public affair

His gaze fell to the television screen again. This time a handsome young man with glasses and scruffy hair that didn’t seem to go in any coherent style yet framed his face perfectly was being interviewed.

“Carl Carrington is the rank outsider,” the newscaster said. “As a passionate believer in all things green as well as LGBTQ rights, he’ll be popular with the younger electorate.”

The slim younger man fought his way through photographers outside an apartment complex that had to in the Docklands area.

“Who is he?” Nihal asked. He had never had a great interest in politics. If they looked like this specimen, he might have to change his ways.

“He’s my MP,” Bee replied. “One of us. Really nice guy. Paula went to him for help about them closing the mother and baby unit, and he got stuck in. Saved it too. He would be the dream to win. It will never happen though. He’s far too decent. Paula said he was sweet too. Makes you want to vomit, doesn’t it?”

Paula was Bee’s wife and always had a cause on the go. She made a real difference with them too. Something Nihal admired her for. It beat launching crap products that people didn’t need.

“Right. I’ll get the coffees,” Bee said, dusting off the crumbs from their shirt. “Can we grab five minutes to talk about the next month?”

Nihal couldn’t take his eyes off the man on the screen. This guy had something special about him. Of course, he was absolutely gorgeous, but that didn’t set him apart though. It went deeper than that. As photographers jostled him, he seemed lost amongst it all. He needed help and Nihal was more than happy to oblige.

“When you get a chance, give Mr Carrington’s assistant a call,” Nihal said. “Can’t hurt to see if he wants any PR representation.”

Bee nodded. “Sure thing.”

They left the office and Nihal caught Jeff’s amused expression. “What?”

“You’re as transparent as shrink wrap, Nihal Varma. He’s not your usual type though. Will you be able to cope with someone who has more between their ears than their legs?”

“Maybe I’m ready for a change.”

Kristian’s Follow Me Links:

Newsletter & four free stories! www.kristianparker.com 

Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/kristiansworld

TikTok @kparkerwriter

Twitter @kparkerwriter

Insta @kparkerwriter

Author Bio

Jaiyde Thomas is a lover of words and languages. Though her heart is in Alabama, she was born and raised in Ohio. Her first experience with gay romance was when she offered to beta read her friend’s novel. Since then, she’s been hooked on the genre. Her inspirations are Gianni Holmes, K. C. Wells, and Parker Williams, and their books are the reason why Jaiyde started writing.

She loves a good story with complex characters, steamy sex scenes, and happily ever afters. Claim Me, Love Me is her first novel.

Jaiyde’s Quirky Questions

Holly: Name an underappreciated novel that you love. What is it about this book that you adore?
Jaiyde: Jane Eyre has been my favorite book since I first read it in middle school. There’s just something about historical romances that I love, and I’m not sure if it’s the language used, the time period that is just so different from ours, or how relationships worked back in those days. I loved Jane and Mr. Rochester’s relationship. The drama in the book only enhanced the story for me, and the ending! OMG! I love a happily ever after where one of the main characters accepts the other regardless of their flaws. It’s a perfect way to end a book in my opinion!

Holly: Tell me something from your bucket list.
Jaiyde: I feel like I am a risk taker, so something that I want to do is go skydiving. The exhilaration, the adrenaline, and the wild thumping of my heart, all adds to the experience, and I can’t wait for the euphoric feeling as I am falling to the ground at top speed. 🙂

Holly: Who has been your favorite character to write and why?
Jaiyde: I would have to say Stephen. I enjoyed getting into his head as a blind person but also as a Dominant. I loved figuring him out and finding what his style of dominance was. Stephen and I share a lot of similar characteristics in life and in BDSM, so it was also fun to put a bit of me into his character.

Holly: When did you first call yourself a writer?
Jaiyde: When I was nine, I was obsessed with this kids’ rock band, The Naked Brothers Band. The lead singer wrote songs, and because of that, I wanted to try. Once I wrote my first song about him, I wrote more songs, and then at age twelve, I wrote a story about a teenage pregnancy. That was well received, so at fourteen, I decided to put some of my own issues that I was facing into a series. That’s when I started calling myself a writer.

Holly: Do you have any strange writing habits or rituals?
Jaiyde: Hmm, this is an interesting question. When I have a sex scene to write, I either turn on Chris Brown or the Fifty Shades soundtracks to help me get in the mood to write. Chris Brown has a song for every emotion, and many of them are sexual in nature. I’ve watched the Fifty Shades movies multiple times, so I know which songs are associated with sex scenes, LOL!

A Destined Christmas Miracle

Welcome to All Access, a new BDSM club that promotes inclusivity. When you step through these doors, you are bound to find equality, acceptance, and even… love.

Colin
For the past year all I’ve known is heartbreak, and going to All Access was supposed to be a distraction from the pain. However, when I see my former play partner happy and in love, I flee the club, vowing never to return.
Leaving Ohio and traveling to Alabama for a few days should help me to clear my head and help me to forget, but no amount of beautiful scenery, hot men, and southern accents could prepare me for what awaited me at the hardcore BDSM club, Flame of Fury. When I wake to find myself in my hotel room, I’m reeking of vomit and in extreme pain. Nothing makes sense, except for the vaguely familiar man who promises to never leave my side, even after I tell him what I remember.
As I try to put my life back together, Stephen’s loyalty, belief, and kindness never wavers, but can I trust him after all that I’ve endured?

Stephen
I’ve never allowed my blindness to hinder me, and that includes my sex life. As a Dominant, my primary goal is to fulfill the needs of my play partners.
When a heartbroken submissive asks for a scene, my instincts are on alert as I agree, but after ten spankings, Colin flees, and I’m left wondering about the boy with an ache in my heart.
A year later All Access opens, and I’m excited by the prospect of a club that caters to the disabled. More than that, I’m hoping to see Colin again. However, my joy is short-lived, because Colin is in trouble. When I see him respond to an ad that screams DANGER, I refuse to wait around. With a friend in tow I set out to rescue him, but we find him too late: He’s bruised, battered, and alone.
His injuries and trauma are too much for him to bear so I agree to help him through it, but as altruism turns into guiding, nurturing, and training, I can’t help but wonder about the future.
But can I be what Colin needs after all that he’s endured?

This book contains mentions of alcoholism of a relative, sexual assault, drugging, and kidnapping. There are also graphic descriptions of rape. This book is intended for readers ages 18+!

Jaiyde’s  Social Links

NEW IN MM ROMANCE THIS WEEK!

Blinding Light

BL Maxwell

Preorder Faded Dreams: https://mybook.to/FadedDreamsRTR2

Easy Rian has been lead singer for Blinding Light since the band was formed. Through the years many things have changed. Not all of them good. When the lead guitarist leaves mid-tour, the rest of the band is left waiting to see if they’ll continue on to Rocktoberfest, or if this is where their tour ends.

Liam Tarrant has been playing guitar for as long as he can remember. When he gets the chance to audition for Blinding Light, he jumps at the chance. Meeting the band is surreal, especially the lead singer, Easy. Liam has always had a crush on Easy, but he never thought he’d get the chance to meet him, let alone spend time alone with him.

Easy is drawn to Liam, no matter how much he wants to deny it. When the two are thrown together over practice and planning the upcoming tour, attraction grows between the two of them that neither can deny. But falling in love on tour could be what finally ends Blinding Light, and both of them will need to choose what’s more important to them. Love or music, can they have it all?

#Rockstar #mmromance #grumpysunshine #friendstolovers

The Crofton Chronicles: The Complete Series

For 99c/99p between 3^rd – 9^th Aug (usually $9.99!)

Featuring all 3 novels for 1 KU download and only $0.99 for the ebook

The Actor and the Earl

Duty to the Crown

Forever Hold His Peace

To save his family’s honour, Elizabethan actor Sebastian Hewel must master the most outlandish role of his life. But he risks losing both his head and his heart when he agrees to play his twin sister and wife of Anthony Redbourn, the Earl of Crofton.

The complete series, starting with their arranged marriage to fool the court, following the path to true love, and witnessing two men’s determination to stay together whatever the cost. Set during the Golden Age at the court of Elizabeth I.

Marriage of convenience

A virgin and a rogue

Courtly love and inspired by Shakespeare

Risking it all for a happy ending

Twins swapping places

Join Rebecca Cohen’s Facebook group for updates, random research picks, giveaways, and all sorts of Rebecca’s Ramblings https://www.facebook.com/groups/498970581304907

I hope you enjoyed this week’s episode of Holly’s Quirky Questions.

 A huge thank you to Kristian Parker and Jaiyde Thomas. Next week we have Shelby Rhodes and Ellie Thomas

Until then: Find a Spark of Magic Every Day.