It’s almost the end of another month, and I am once again in awe at how fast time seems to be flying by. The seasons are definitely changing here in NZ, which means we are getting less sunshine and more rain, I even had to dig out some warmer blankets for the beds this weekend. 

I am still hitting a brick wall with Jinn and Lucien’s story; in truth, I think an element of burnout is at play, so I am trying to work through that and go easy on myself – easier said than done – but still, I will continue to try. 

I hope wherever you are reading this, you are able to find something to smile about today

But for now, please welcome Ellis Colton!

(P.S. Apologies that the blog is going out a little later than usual, and a huge thank you to Ellis for your understanding)

Ellis’s Quirky Questions

Holly: What’s your drink of choice?

Ellis Colton: Coffee in the morning, water in the afternoon, and vodka at night.

Holly: What did you plan on being when you grew up?

 Ellis Colton: As a child, I wanted to be an actress. In college, I double majored in English Literature and Theater. I wanted to 1) be a writer and then 2) be a published writer for years, and now I am 🙂

Holly: Tell me something hardly anyone knows about you.

Ellis Colton: I grew up reading classic romances from Victoria Holt, Phillippa Carr, and the like, as well as tons of sci-fi and horror. Someday I’ll write an MM in the style of Holt and that genre. I also want to write a really yummy Victorian Gothic MM story.

Holly: Tell me about a unique or quirky habit of yours.

Ellis Colton: I quote a lot from shows etc that I love. so you’ll hear references from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, all sorts of movies, and the comedy group, Firesign Theatre. Hence my imprint FiresignTen Press.

Holly: What is the most meaningful thing a reader has said to you?

Ellis Colton: I wrote a fanfiction involving a body swap, and the one partner then realized how the other was suffering from intractable depression, thus accounting for some behavior he’d been puzzled by. They then were able to seek help together and discovered the depression was in fact bipolar syndrome type 2, which is all depression and no mania. It does not respond to anti-depressants, but instead requires a mood stabilizer. This is very auto-biographical. The comment I received was that the reader had been struggling for some years, unable to understand why nothing worked, and when she read this, it fit her to a tee. She went and got properly diagnosed and therefore properly medicated. Subsequently she commented this all to me. I couldn’t have been more touched by her response and am immensely grateful I was able to help someone with my words.

Holly: What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

Ellis Colton: A strong command of language, including a robust vocabulary and a feel for how your sentences and imagery flow. Good visualization skills. And a metric ton of patience LOL 

Holly: How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

Ellis Colton: I have two books out so far, both contemporary romances. Prescription for Love is a novella about a sheriff and a doctor carving out a relationship inside busy lives, and the second, The Silver Dragon, has a couple dealing with one being in the closet due to past homophobia directed at him as well as a strict religious upbringing, set in a karate studio. Since there are only two, I’m calling them twins and they are both my favorite!

The Silver Dragon

Can an old crush lead to new love?

Teo Marquez attends an after-school karate program with his best friend at their junior high in San Bonita, Texas. It’s challenging, but also totally fun, so Teo signs up for more classes at the Silver Dragon, the local dojo. While Teo loves his karate classes, he becomes silently smitten with a gorgeous teenage assistant there, Mr. Eklund. But before Teo gets the nerve up to even say hello to his crush, his family moves away and Teo’s dreams are shattered.

Six years after moving to California, Teo returns to San Bonita as a transfer college student and rekindles some old friendships. He decides to take karate again when he learns that his old crush, Lucas Eklund, is now the sensei at the Silver Dragon! Adult Lucas is even more handsome than Teo dreamed of, and he returns Teo’s interest. There’s one problem–Lucas is deep in the closet. Teo thinks he can handle it, but Lucas’ personal dragons might be stronger than Teo anticipated.

Prescription for Love

NEW FROM ME (Holly Oliver)

When a plan for revenge goes wrong, the Array find themselves ill-equipped and underprepared for the monsters on their doorstep.

Kerry, a hedgehog shifter, finds himself facing the demons of his past and is filled with a rage that won’t quit. His loyalty to the Array is put to the test, and an unexpected mate turns his world upside down.

Dayton, a fennec fox shifter, had one job, but from the moment he arrived at Helena’s, he felt forces moving him in another direction. Torn between his duty to the Array and his heart, Dayton attempts to honor both, but at what cost?

Kerry and Dayton is a story featuring magic, shifters, and death. It also mentions the deaths of parents and gruesome monsters, but if all goes well, there will be a happily ever after for the unlikely couple by the time we reach the end.

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

 A huge thank you to Ellis.

At this stage there are no authors signed up for May but never fear, I will get back on the promotion and filling the slots bandwagon as soon as I have some spoons to spare. 

Until then: Find a Spark of Magic Every Day.