MM MARCH MADNESS!!

March 29

Twinsie Talk is proud to present the 3rd Annual MM March Madness – a month to focus on the M/M, F/F, M/M/F, M/F/M authors. We love these books and want to share it with the rest of the world. Each day we will post an interview. We will also include any reviews that we have done on these books as well as links to the books.

Our hope is that you will love this genre as much as we do! <3

Today is devoted to Anya Breton

Anya Breton is a web monkey with an obsession for nail polish and rubber chickens. Her fears include Peeps and people who hate clowns. Her genres include erotic romance, urban fantasy, and young adult–all with a little quirk. She lives in the Midwest where land is cheap and corn is cheaper.

Tell us about something about you (not included in your normal author bio) that maybe not everyone knows about you.

In high school I moonlit as a clown.

There’s been a trend in writing a series. How do you feel about series? Do you write them? Do you think they are easier or harder?

I do like writing series, both featuring one main character or featuring a different set of characters per book. In some ways they’re easier because I’m not starting from scratch with each book. But keeping track of all of the moving pieces from one book to another makes it harder than stand alone.

Where do you do most of your writing?

That changes every few months. Right now I do most of my writing in a super comfy recliner in my living room.

What are you currently reading? Any suggestions for your favorite books (beside your own, of course)?

I’m reading Little Women for a book club, listening to Kresley Cole’s The Master, and reading Jillian Jacobs’ Rachel’s Guard. They’re all great in their own ways. Favorite books besides my own, I love reading historical romance most. Anything by Tessa Dare or Courtney Milan are favorites of mine.

Do you feel that this genre is growing? And what do you contribute to that growth or decline?

I do feel diverse genres like MM, FF, MMF, etc are growing. I contribute by reading and a(under an alter ego).

What is the most surprising thing you have learned about writing?

That the writing part of it is the easiest part.

What are you working on now?

I’m submitting my MFM “Northern Heat” for publishing very soon. This is a fun book featuring a shy lady in her 40’s who is saddled with two hunky, demanding new bosses.

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?

Relax with a good book.

Tell us about the highest HIGH and lowest LOW in your career so far. How has it changed you?

I don’t know that I’ve had either extreme. My career has been even keel. I know I change a little bit each time I go through the editing process. There’s always something I can improve.

Enter the giveaway!! You could win a Kindle from the Twinsies or one of the great prizes donated by our featured authors during the MM March Madness Celebration!!

Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big THANK YOU to all of the authors participating in our month long celebration!! We appreciate all that you do!!! MUAH!!

Much Love from the Twinsies!!! Angie, Brenda, Deb, Kelly, Kristi, Jen, Jo, and Melinda!!!

MM MARCH MADNESS!!

March 28

Twinsie Talk is proud to present the 3rd Annual MM March Madness – a month to focus on the M/M, F/F, M/M/F, M/F/M authors. We love these books and want to share it with the rest of the world. Each day we will post an interview. We will also include any reviews that we have done on these books as well as links to the books.

Our hope is that you will love this genre as much as we do! <3

Today is devoted to Sandrine Gasq-Dion

Best selling author, Sandrine (Sandy) was born in Inglewood, California. Raised by “Old School” French parents, she later moved to Tucson, AZ. It was there that writing became a hobby. Always told she had a great imagination, Sandy wrote short stories for her friends in High School. In college, she took more writing classes while working on her Criminal Justice degree, but it wasn’t until a soap opera caught her eye that she got involved in male on male romances. On the advice of a friend, Sandy dipped her toes into the world of M/M Romance. Sandy takes the writing seriously and has had countless conversations with gay men as well as hours of research.She’s been involved with the military in one way or another for over twenty years, and has a great deal of respect for our men in uniform. She’s traveled the world, but has finally returned to Arizona.

Tell us about something about you (not included in your normal author bio) that maybe not everyone knows about you.

I have been married to the military since I was nineteen. I still go to all my guys for info on military procedures and whether would and wouldn’t do in certain situations. 😉

There’s been a trend in writing a series. How do you feel about series? Do you write them? Do you think they are easier or harder?

I love series. I’m not a big fan of sequels because I feel that they never measure up to the first book. Writing a series gives you the freedom to incorporate the characters from previous books so readers can see what they’ve been up to! I think it’s much easier.

Where do you do most of your writing?

I have an office in my house that’s filled with my characters. I surround myself with pictures of hot naked men. 😀

What are you currently reading? Any suggestions for your favorite books (beside your own, of course)?

I’m reading INET form Brenda Cothern and Behind the Music by Ann Lister. My all time favorite has to be KA Mitchell’s Collision Course. It was my first MM read! Right behind that is Evangeline Anderson’s “The Assignment”

Do you feel that this genre is growing? And what do you contribute to that growth or decline?

I believe it is growing. I’m trying to diversify what I write and how I write it. I’ve tackled attempted suicide and I have a book coming out later on that deals with another issue. I’ve always had my guys in the Assassin Shifters creating youth shelters for displaced and runaway gay teens. I hope to bring more awareness to the problem.

What is the most surprising thing you have learned about writing?

It’s not just one character that speaks to me anymore, it’s a slew of them and they’re all fighting for time. I wrote four books back-to-back when I moved back to Arizona and now I’m exhausted. I’ve learned I need to take a break and shush those voices for a bit. 😉

What are you working on now?

I’m working on; Ransom’s book from the rock series, Jordy and Wraith from the 12 Olympians, Loki and Cezar from the Assassin Shifters, Ryan and Michael from the Men of Manhattan and a new M/F book.

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?

Sleep and or read, catch up on shows I’m SO far behind in (Supernatural)

Tell us about the highest HIGH and lowest LOW in your career so far. How has it changed you?

Highest was when the first book (Dirty Ross) Hit below 100 in books bought in the kindle store! Lowest low was the first one star review. Now I’m older and wiser and know that you can’t please everyone. Not everyone thinks the same so while one person will LOVE the book, someone else will hate it. It is what it is!

Enter the giveaway!! You could win a Kindle from the Twinsies or one of the great prizes donated by our featured authors during the MM March Madness Celebration!!

Sandrine Gasq-Dion has donated Signed book from the rock series and code for either on audible (Fret or Jinxed) Some other swag, T shirt, bracelets and such.

Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big THANK YOU to all of the authors participating in our month long celebration!! We appreciate all that you do!!! MUAH!!

Much Love from the Twinsies!!! Angie, Brenda, Deb, Kelly, Kristi, Jen, Jo, and Melinda!!!

MM MARCH MADNESS!!

March 27

Twinsie Talk is proud to present the 3rd Annual MM March Madness – a month to focus on the M/M, F/F, M/M/F, M/F/M authors. We love these books and want to share it with the rest of the world. Each day we will post an interview. We will also include any reviews that we have done on these books as well as links to the books.

Our hope is that you will love this genre as much as we do! <3

Today is devoted to Heather Ranier

I live in South Central Texas, writing the type of novel I love to read: more erotic and edgy than the mainstream, with plenty of sweet romance mixed in. My love of romantic fiction began as a teenager when my mom gave me copies of Kathleen Woodiwiss’s “The Flame and the Flower” and Bertrice Small’s “Skye O’Malley.” To this day I’m pretty sure that was her idea of the “birds and the bees” talk. My husband and I met in a scenario very much like the ones I’ve written about. He was the alpha hero who stepped in when this “damsel in distress” needed rescuing from a nefarious pervert. It’s no wonder I went on to write erotic romance when I had him to inspire me. I love to chat with readers on Facebook and talk about my books and whatever else comes to mind on my blog, The Divine Tease. When not pounding on my keyboard, I’m usually busy corralling my kids or loving on my smokin’ hot husband, who thankfully loves to cook.

Tell us about something about you (not included in your normal author bio) that maybe not everyone knows about you.

An old friend from high school recently asked me what I “do” now that my kids are teenagers. My response: “I’m still a stay at home mom.” She nodded with a slightly mystified look in her eyes when I didn’t elaborate further. Living in a small town in Texas, and having children enrolled in a private school, my privacy and anonymity are of primary importance to me…at least until the youngest graduates. For the last five years I’ve balanced maintaining that anonymity for my pen name and my personal privacy while building a following for Heather Rainier that rivals any pre-published dreams I might’ve had.

There’s been a trend in writing a series. How do you feel about series? Do you write them? Do you think they are easier or harder?

As a reader, I prefer series, and will follow along with the rest of fandom…if the stories and characters are interwoven and well-written. I tend to bond to well-formed characters and storylines and am never quite ready to let go when the book ends and always want more stories set in that world. As a writer, I’ve devoted my time to writing a long running series because I believe I share that sentiment with the majority of readers. Writing a series can be challenging, what with keeping world-building facts straight and not “painting” myself into too many corners. After 23 books, I know my characters pretty well, but I still have to refer back to my cheat sheets when it comes to basic facts. Even with all that, it’s worth it.

Where do you do most of your writing?

In my office at the desk my husband built for me. Prior to our move in 2015, I wrote at a small desk set up in our living room with chaos all around me. It’s a wonder I accomplished as much as I did.

What are you currently reading? Any suggestions for your favorite books (beside your own, of course)?

In preparation for the release of “The Beast” in April, I’m enjoying a re-read of the entire Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward. I love to read paranormal and urban fantasy and I’ve always enjoyed her characters and very unique author’s voice. I’m also a big fan of anything written by Cherise Sinclair, Laurann Dohner, and Diana Gabaldon, the author of the ultimate book boyfriend, Jamie Fraser.

Do you feel that this genre is growing? And what do you contribute to that growth or decline?

I’ll preface my answer by stating that I’m not an expert in the industry, but I do listen to the experts. I think the growth has slowed a bit perhaps, due to the overabundance of cheap and poorly-edited/formatted/covered e-books, whether self-published or otherwise, combined with a growing sub-culture that demands more and more content cheaper…or for free. Writers who work fulltime jobs and then come home and write fulltime are on a collision course with burn-out. If what they produce is of value, they should expect to be paid a fair price. I think the genre will recover and continue to grow, provided authors stay consistent, avoid getting caught up in hype, continue nurturing their skills, and write to the best of their abilities. The bottom line is that romance readers will always want to read happily-ever-afters.

What is the most surprising thing you have learned about writing?

The idea that the world I created in my head is a place readers of my series would gladly move to or visit, given the chance. Knowing this strengthens my resolve to continue creating a world in the small town of Divine, Texas that is so vivid none of my readers will ever feel let down by subsequent books.

What are you working on now?

I’m finishing up “How Cassie Got Her Grind Back,” the 23rd book in the Divine Creek Ranch Collection (Releases May 2016). Readers have gotten to know Cassie, the owner of Divine Drip over the last several books, and met one of her heroes, Samson Cutter, in “Bunny and the Beast.” While Samson’s twin, Ivan, may be his mirror image, he and Samson are worlds apart in their approach to women, especially Cassie. Blurb for “How Cassie Got Her Grind Back” Cassie, Samson, and Ivan made promises on the day they graduated from high school and then life took them in unexpected directions. Raised in a traditional home, Cassie was expected to work hard and obey her elders and because of her nature she complies, until life throws her so many curve balls she has no choice but to begin standing up for herself. Aspiring to join the military, identical twins Samson and Ivan Cutter find themselves pulled in opposite directions on life paths that couldn’t be more different, but through the years, they’ve unknowingly had one thing in common. Cassie Villalobos. Or more to the point—love for Cassie Villalobos. Samson’s successful career in the military and then in law enforcement was interrupted when he was injured in the line of duty. With a well-earned reputation for level-headedness, Samson enjoys his job as an emergency dispatch operator but there’s always been something missing. Not even his private lifestyle as a Dominant, and role as Joseph Hazelle’s right hand man at Hazelle House, brings him much satisfaction these days. Good-humored and affectionate, it’s probably a good thing Ivan didn’t make the cut in the military due to an injury because he’s found his passion and his purpose in his kitchen. An award-winning chef with a major following, he satisfies his sensual nature with culinary prowess while always feeling the inner emptiness that long hours at his Viking stove can’t fulfill. Thirty years have passed since they made those broken promises to each other, and when presented with a second chance, Samson and Ivan are determined to not let Cassie slip through their fingers again.

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?

Go out to eat for Mexican food (there are an abundance of authentic Mexican restaurants in my neck of the woods), and watch movies with my husband and family. We watched “The Martian” recently and loved it.

Tell us about the highest HIGH and lowest LOW in your career so far. How has it changed you?

The highest HIGH would be the first phone call I ever received from Siren Publishing in 2010, letting me know they wanted to publish my first book, Divine Grace, and they were excited to hear that it was the first in a series and wanted me to submit more. I think any writer out there will say that the lowest LOW comes in moments of creative self-doubt, writer’s block, and writer’s anxiety—that insidious belief that we’re not very good at what we do and it’s just a matter of time before others figure it out.

Lumberjack Weekend (MFM)

Angie’s Goodreads Review

Enter the giveaway!! You could win a Kindle from the Twinsies or one of the great prizes donated by our featured authors during the MM March Madness Celebration!!

Heather Ranier has donated a gifted digital copy of “How Cassie Got Her Grind Back” when it is released. (pdf only)  **The book releases May 2016.**

Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big THANK YOU to all of the authors participating in our month long celebration!! We appreciate all that you do!!! MUAH!!

Much Love from the Twinsies!!! Angie, Brenda, Deb, Kelly, Kristi, Jen, Jo, and Melinda!!!

MM MARCH MADNESS!!

March 26

Twinsie Talk is proud to present the 3rd Annual MM March Madness – a month to focus on the M/M, F/F, M/M/F, M/F/M authors. We love these books and want to share it with the rest of the world. Each day we will post an interview. We will also include any reviews that we have done on these books as well as links to the books.

Our hope is that you will love this genre as much as we do! <3

Today is devoted to Jack Pyke

Jack L. Pyke blames her dark writing influences on living close to one of England’s finest forests. Having grown up hearing a history of kidnappings, murders, strange sightings, and sexual exploits her neck of the woods is renowned for, Jack takes that into her writing, having also learned that human coping strategies for intense situations can sometimes make the best of people have disastrously bad moments. Redeeming those flaws is Jack’s drive, and if that drive just happens to lead to sexual tension between two or more guys in a D/s relationship, Jack’s the first to let nature take its course.

Tell us about something about you (not included in your normal author bio) that maybe not everyone knows about you.

I have four kids. My eldest lad is 22, my youngest, 4, and I also have a granddaughter who’s 1.

There’s been a trend in writing a series. How do you feel about series? Do you write them? Do you think they are easier or harder?

I love series writing! But it can get complex as you delve deeper into 3rd, 4th, and 5th novels. There’s a lot of details to crossover novel to novel, not to mention introducing new characters etc. But you get to really investigate your characters. There’s always something new that crops up.

Where do you do most of your writing?

In my living room. I have a little corner for me, with my stereo close by as I write to music. It keeps me close to the kids and hubby, and is probably where I’m most happy.

What are you currently reading? Any suggestions for your favorite books (beside your own, of course)?

*Sighs* I get so little time to read for pleasure. If I’m not editing, I’m writing, or running promo. Favourite books, oh lord, I could be on this all day! Anything by Joseph Lance Tonlet, Lynn Kelling, Nicole Colville, and Adrienne Wilder.

Do you feel that this genre is growing? And what do you contribute to that growth or decline?

I think it’s very much growing. The readership keeps getting wider, with readers always anxious to pass and share favourite reads; reviewing blogs are really coming into their own, but also there’s just so much variety out there with how to digest M/M novels. Audio, podcast snippets, foreign language translations, not to mention more and more distribution sites coming in. The drawback is that some of those always take their cull of royalties and fight their own battles to dominate the likes of distribution. Authors get caught up in the battle and royalties seem to get lower and lower.

What is the most surprising thing you have learned about writing?

How intimate it is! I love being alone with a script and settling in to see where the characters go, what they do. Then there’s the sharing aspect when it goes live and how readers react: whether they fall in love with certain things or loathe others.

What are you working on now?

I’m actually working on a tie-in into the Don’t series. It’s introducing two new characters who’ll come at Gray and Jan from a new perspective. It’s working with a theme I’ve been thinking of for a few years: someone who is more comfortable walking the streets during the night and taking a look into other people’s lives. I don’t have a blurb, but I do have an extract, if that’s okay? The extract itself introduces Ash, my late-teen lad who’s just been pulled away from my street walker by his best friend Rease. —— “Fucking flirt.” Rease offered a chuckle as Ash slumped on the bar stool. “Me?” Ash fought the heat on his cheeks. “I do “Snog Me” wish-lists, you… you’ve got this whole—” His hand went everywhere. “—IPA Fuck-Buddy Tour Guide.” Rease leaned closer. “What’s an IPA?” “International Phonetic Alphabet.” “Oh.” He couldn’t connect the dots. “And that differs from the usual ABCs, how exactly?” “Because the IPA doesn’t only show the normal alphabet but highlights how letters go two, three, and foursome to make sound. And you—” “That foursome was just a rumour.” “Started by you, to me on the phone, when you were begging a lift from Karl and Elaine’s.” “See—” He even counted on his fingers. “Three.” “The postman was there.” “Delivering letters.” “Naked?” “It was hot.” “With whip marks on his arse.” “Annnd obviously displaying public disappointment over failure to deliver the goods in the right letterbox when prompted.” Although Rease fought a blush. “That was a few years back and something I don’t do often.” Ash got a pat to his shoulder. “Forget getting laid, you need a life, mate.” ——–

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?

Movie night! We always take time out with the kids to watch a movie on Saturday nights. The recliners go up, quilts come out, popcorn, Coke… it’s pure heaven!

Tell us about the highest HIGH and lowest LOW in your career so far. How has it changed you?

The Highest? Hands down the day at the Ritz, I got to meet so many people (authors, bloggers, fans) I’d been talking to over the net, and it made such a difference meeting them face to face. Low: you’re not just an author, but everything else thrown into the mix too, and it weighs you down. to breaking at times. Many a time I’ve thought of stepping away permanently because I miss just being able to write and share stories. I’m getting better with time management, and that’s what it comes down to, just allowing yourself time to say, okay, you’re an author, you’re supposed to actually write at some stage.

Website:  Facebook:  Goodreads:

Enter the giveaway!! You could win a Kindle from the Twinsies or one of the great prizes donated by our featured authors during the MM March Madness Celebration!!

Jack Pyke has donated an ebook choice of any novel from my back list (any format)

Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big THANK YOU to all of the authors participating in our month long celebration!! We appreciate all that you do!!! MUAH!!

Much Love from the Twinsies!!! Angie, Brenda, Deb, Kelly, Kristi, Jen, Jo, and Melinda!!!

MM MARCH MADNESS!!

March 25

Twinsie Talk is proud to present the 3rd Annual MM March Madness – a month to focus on the M/M, F/F, M/M/F, M/F/M authors. We love these books and want to share it with the rest of the world. Each day we will post an interview. We will also include any reviews that we have done on these books as well as links to the books.

Our hope is that you will love this genre as much as we do! <3

Today is devoted to Ella Frank

Ella Frank is the author of the #1 Bestselling Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite erotic serial, A Desperate Man. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!” A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic fiction and lives with her husband in Portland, OR. You can reach her on the web at www.ellafrank.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ella.frank.author Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

Tell us about something about you (not included in your normal author bio) that maybe not everyone knows about you.

Something you don’t know about me…hmmm, I co-author with a wonderful woman by the name Brooke Blaine. I love writing as the other half of a duo. It’s so much fun brainstorming and coming up with characters to share with the world. We can’t wait to work on our next project together!

There’s been a trend in writing a series. How do you feel about series? Do you write them? Do you think they are easier or harder?

I love writing series! They’re fun for me. Getting to carry over characters from previous books to the next. But at the same time I feel you really need to know how far you want to take those characters and set a book number for yourself.

Where do you do most of your writing?

I do it at my desk in my bedroom right now. I live in a beautiful apartment but it is rather small, so I can’t wait for the day I actually can put my desk in an office!

What are you currently reading? Any suggestions for your favorite books (beside your own, of course)?

I am currently reading HOOKER by Brooke Blaine which is a romantic comedy, and it is hilarious. I absolutely love and recommend the L.A. Liaisons Series. As for a new favorite books and series I love, I recently read a brilliant series last year by Cassandra Clare – The Infernal Devices. It is literally one of the best series I have ever read.

Do you feel that this genre is growing? And what do you contribute to that growth or decline?

This genre has exploded. When I first came out with Try, the m/m genre was barely talked about on the mainstream blogs in the indie world and it took a lot of convincing on my part to get people to give my book a look. Since then, some amazing authors have broken through and really helped this genre thrive and rise to be one of the most talked about out there. I also think that the recent Equality Act which passed gave way to an influx of authors adding characters with more diverse sexual preferences, and from there it has just continued to grow. I am proud to be a part of this writing community and to see how far it has come.

What is the most surprising thing you have learned about writing?

That you always have the opportunity to change, grow, and learn something new about yourself. With each book I like to think I challenge myself and make it just a little better in my eyes than my last. Whether it be the writing itself, the plot, the dialogue, I am always hoping to improve upon the last and give readers something they can really sit down and enjoy. After all, that’s why you pick up a book, right? To get lost inside the world of the author. I just hope I continue to build new and fascinating ones for people.

What are you working on now?

I just finished up Finley, and I’m in the process of writing the second book to follow. You can find more information on Finley at – www.ellafrank.com

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?

Probably go out to dinner and see a movie. It’s low key, relaxing, and I can turn my brain off for a few hours and forget about the world I am writing about.

Tell us about the highest HIGH and lowest LOW in your career so far. How has it changed you?

Hmmm…I feel a certain HIGH each time I finish writing a book. It’s such a sense of accomplishment to know that the characters on the page came out of my head. I haven’t had any lows as far as I feel. Every day brings new challenges and I consider myself one of the luckiest people on the planet to be able to wake up and do what I love every day.

Blind Obsession by Twinsie Brenda

Take by Twinsie Brenda

Enter the giveaway!! You could win a Kindle from the Twinsies or one of the great prizes donated by our featured authors during the MM March Madness Celebration!!

Ella Frank has donated a signed paperback of Finley once they are available.

Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big THANK YOU to all of the authors participating in our month long celebration!! We appreciate all that you do!!! MUAH!!

Much Love from the Twinsies!!! Angie, Brenda, Deb, Kelly, Kristi, Jen, Jo, and Melinda!!!