Read Around the Rainbow | How does music/noise affect your writing?

July 29, 2022July 28, 2022 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 6 Comments

ReadAroundTheRainbow

It’s Read Around the Rainbow time! Every month, we’re a bunch of authors who blog on the same topic. This month’s topic is:

How does music/noise affect your writing?

I’m sensitive to noise. If there is too much noise around, I get panicky and sooo exhausted. Being in rooms filled with people is a nightmare, that buzz of voices. I can’t hear what the person next to me says when I’m in a situation like that, and it completely drains me. I avoid parties and gatherings like the plague LOL

When I first started writing, I only had one child. I was on parental leave, and I wrote smutty M/F for my own amusement, not with any plan of ever publishing anything. I wrote when my son was sleeping, and hubby was away working. In silence. Blessed silence.

Then I had more children, and silence became a scarce commodity. I started listening to music while writing – not because I wanted to listen to music but to drown out the noise of four children playing and a husband plucking on the guitar or whatever he’d be doing.

Nowadays, I write early in the mornings before the kids get up, so I could write in silence, but I put on music right away without thinking. It’s become part of the routine.

I don’t really hear what I’m listening to when I write. I disappear into the story, and the music is just there, in the background, blocking out the real world, but I have a list on Spotify called Play it Again, Sam. On that list, I save songs that spark ideas.

I often put on random Spotify lists when loading the dishwasher or cooking or other fun stuff, and sometimes there is a line in a song that sparks an idea. I wrote The Drunken Dog after having heard Longer Than You’ve Been Alive by Old 97. I was baking, and it came on one of those random Spotify lists. I don’t think I’d ever heard anything by Old 97 before, but while kneading bread, a vampire rockstar came alive before my eyes LOL

Check out what the others have to say!

The Drunken Dog

thedrunkendog

Zev Nightfall has a secret. For two years, he’s been the beta in a loosely knitted werewolf pack, but he’s not a werewolf. He’s a crossbreed, part wolf, part fae, which is a death sentence in most packs. That’s not his only problem. One night he meets Otis, a vampire. Shifters and vampires aren’t friends, yet fighting is the last thing on Zev’s mind.

Otis Miller is in the middle of rebuilding his rockstar persona. Again. A hundred years ago, all he had to do was to move when people started noticing him not ageing. With cameras and social media, it doesn’t work anymore, and he isn’t sure he has the energy to start over. Then there is the shifter coming to the bar where he’s singing. He makes Otis want to jump off the stage and never look back.

Zev knows he shouldn’t get involved with a vampire; he has enough problems as it is. But Otis is alone and vulnerable, and it tugs at Zev’s heartstrings. Normally, Otis stays away from other supernatural beings, but something about Zev makes him want to curl up on his lap and forget about the world around them. But how would two people from enemy species make things work, and will Zev’s pack ever accept not only a crossbreed but a vampire as well?

Buy links:

Gay Paranormal Romance: 12,121 words

JMS Books :: Amazon :: books2read.com/TheDrunkenDog

Wrap-Up Wednesday | July

July 27, 2022July 25, 2022 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ Leave a comment

It’s Wrap-Up Wednesday time, and I’m a little confused about what I’ve read, but let’s give it a go, yeah? I went on a full-on Lousia Masters binge. Or not full on, but last month I read Dragon Ever After and loved it, and I knew that there was another dragon story in the YBBB giveaway, so I meant to read that. I did, but not right away.

I’ll try to do these stories in the order I read them, but I might mess up.

Demons Do It Better by Louisa Masters

This is the first in the Hidden Species series, and had I known what I know now, I’d started here, but as already mentioned, I read Dragon Ever After first. This is funny! Loved it and went right on to the next one!

Demons do it better I work for Lucifer. Only, it’s not as cool and satanic as it sounds.

The truth is, I’m an admin assistant who applied for a job that sounded kind of interesting and ended up working for the Community of Species Government. I’m the only human in the office, and basically I ride herd on a team of rambunctious shifters and demons.

I also spend a lot of time avoiding Gideon Bailey, the demon I had a one-night stand with right before I took this job. He hates me, and I really want to avoid being murdered. But I’ve been offered a promotion that will mean working with him, so we’re both going to have to get over it.

Plus, people are going missing. Pregnant people. And the word is that someone is dabbling in genetic experimentation. Putting a stop to that is more important than the sexual tension Gideon and I have been ignoring… isn’t it?

https://books2read.com/Demons-Do-It-Better

One Bite With a Vampire by Louisa Masters

This is funny, though I’d never have the energy to deal with Andrew. I was surprised by how different this was from the first, and yet it’s the same characters present and they’re fighting the same baddies.

One bite with a vampire Getting kidnapped was never part of my life plan. But being rescued opened up a whole world of crazy.

It’s not easy being the only human at the Community of Species Government—and especially not when you’re the rescue case. Two years ago, I was planning to go to college, have a wild time, then settle into a normal life. Instead, I was kidnapped, spent months being a test subject, was in hiding for nearly a year, and then found out that my whole existence is a science experiment conducted by the bad guys. It’s definitely time to reassess.

My rescuers at CSG have been awesome… mostly. They gave me a job, a home, and a support network. But the whole demons, vampires, shifters thing is not easy to get used to. Especially when one particular vampire makes me want to take up stake sharpening for a hobby. How can someone be over eight centuries old and have the maturity of a drunk frat boy?

The thing is, teenage mentality or not, Andrew is a fierce protector. With the bad guys still on the loose, I need someone like that on my side. Plus, did I mention that he’s not hard to look at? I could stare at him all day if only he never opened his mouth.

As we race to find my former captor before he can find me, life takes another twist and upends my world all over again. This time, though, I’m ready—after all, I’ve got an eight-hundred-year-old vampire at my back. What could possibly go wrong?

https://books2read.com/OneBiteWithAVampire

Hijinks With a Hellhound by Louisa Masters

Hellhounds. Alistair is a bit… I mean I love him as a secondary character, and it wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy this book – I did! – but like with Andrew, I get a bit exhausted LOL

Hijinks with a Hellhound I’m a one-and-done kind of hellhound… I don’t catch feeeeeeeelings…

Once upon a time, my first and last relationship taught me that romantic love isn’t enough to stop your boyfriend from trying to kill you. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. My awesomeness is now strictly reserved for one-nighters and casual hookups. Sure, my friends seem to be matching up in romantic bliss, but screw that—I’m not interested.

Besides, things are heating up at the Community of Species Government, and I’m right in the thick of it all. Those bad guys are going down—and not in the good way. They might seem to have the drop on us right now, but we’re going to turn the tables on them. Even if it means going on a mission with Aidan Byrne.

I’m still not happy about the way Aidan handled things with my bestest bestie a few months back, even if he did turn out to be right. Plus, there’s something about him that rubs my fur in the wrong direction. He’s the kind of guy who thinks karaoke is only for college kids and looks down on me for licking my own balls. He also thinks that just because he’s the species leader, he’s in charge.

Too bad for him, I’ve never backed away from a challenge… even if it is unnervingly sexy and really bendy. A hookup won’t lead to feelings… right?

https://books2read.com/HijinksWithAHellhound

Sorcerers Always Satisfy by Louisa Masters

Series exhaustion. You should realise how much I liked these books since I read them all back to back. That’s not something that happens often. In this book more than the others, I wished I’d read the Hidden Species series before I read Dragon Ever After.

Sorcerers always satisfy Just because I enjoy planning and researching doesn’t mean I’m not the most dangerous badass mothercracker around.

The world sees me as boring, dependable David. And I like it that way. I know things and I’m organized. Plus, I’ve seen firsthand the harm a chaotic life can inflict, and I’d rather have my lists and be called dull.

Which is what makes it all the more disconcerting when a sexy elf declares his adoration and begins to “woo” me. What am I supposed to do?

Hide, mostly. It’s hard, though, because Caolan and I are supposed to be working together. And he’s tough to resist: sweet, competent, and so incredibly beautiful. He sees something in me that no one else does. Would it really be such a bad thing if I gave in to temptation?

My personal life can’t be the priority right now, though. The bad guys are gearing up to strike, and if we don’t stop them, the end of the world could be nigh. I need to focus on that, not on letting Caolan show me the benefits of spontaneity. Or do I?

https://books2read.com/SorcerersAlwaysSatisfy

How to Vex a Vampire by Alice Winters

This is the first story in the VRC: Vampire Related Crimes series. I figured I like the Alice Winters story I read last month, so why not give it a try? I… It’s not a bad book, I think I was just a little… after the Hidden Species, and this too is funny. It was too much fun in a row if you get me. My bad, not the book.

How to vex a vampire Finn
Getting into the vampire-only detective unit was the easy part; what’s going to be more difficult is dealing with my new partner, an ancient vampire who keeps threatening to eat me. The unit has never had a human in it, and Marcus—or as I like to call him, Fangy McFangface—would really prefer to keep it that way. He’s grumpy, short-tempered, and broody, but I have a way with words and I know he’s starting to like me, even if he swears he’s not. But what he doesn’t know is that I didn’t join the unit because I was tired of being a homicide detective, I joined because there is someone after me. They’ve already taken enough from me and I’m afraid they’re going to take all of me if I don’t find someone to help. That’s all Marcus was supposed to be, but now, he’s so much more and I can’t imagine my life without him.

Marcus
The moment the pesky human walked through that door, I knew I had to get rid of him. He’s charming and almost everyone else instantly loves him, but he doesn’t understand how risky it is being part of this unit as a human. But as I get to know the stubborn man, I learn that perhaps he’s not as naive as I once thought. And maybe he’s what I needed to realize there is more to life than just work and my dog. A group arises who is threatening to disrupt the alliance between the humans and the vampires, but Finn is the one who shows me how strong that alliance can be and reminds me why it’s worth protecting. When threats hit closer to home, I realize I would do anything for Finn because he’s brought so much joy to my life—and because he’s mine.

This 105k word book contains: A creative use for undergarments, unintentional splits, a wolfhound who just wants to be a part of things, a vertically challenged human who still manages to wrap every vampire he meets around his little finger, the best date ever, possessiveness, really awkward dancing, some workplace revenge, and just a bite or two. Or three.

https://books2read.com/HowToVexAVampire

Freighter Flights by Drew Zachary

This is a story I read now and then when I don’t know what to read. Is it great? Not really. It’s mostly sex, and there are very few stories I like with this much sex in them, but who doesn’t like a growly mechanic? This isn’t available in the shops anymore.

Freighter Flights Will is the hot shot pilot and second in command on the Arillia, a pretty little cargo ship making runs just this side of legal. When they lose their engineer, Will goes on the hunt in spacedock for a new one. What he finds is Tab, a gruff, scarred man who can get the job done. For Tab, the Arillia is a job, a good one at that, and if the pilot makes him growl and want more than he should, well it sure beats starving. The sparks fly between them and they begin to care, whether they want to or not. If they can survive their pasts, space pirates and nearly being blasted out of space, they just might be able to survive each other.

How to Date a Dragon by Louisa Masters

Finally, I downloaded this from the YBBB giveaway. Dragons! Who doesn’t love dragons LOL? After this I was about to move on to The Professor’s Dragon, but… I have a thing, I have many things, but teacher-student romances turn my stomach. I think it might be because I’m a teacher and the thought just… Nope, not going there! This is fiction, and if I happily can read about violence and mate-or-die situations, a teacher-student relationship shouldn’t be a problem, right? Well… I might read it later on since I’ve really enjoyed this series.

How to Date a dragon Tip #1 for dealing with dragons: be prepared for anything

My whole life, I thought dragons were majestic, wise, fearsome creatures. Not to mention fictional, but that belief has been debunked. Dragons are real, they’re living among us, and I’m the lucky guy who gets to sell a house to their leader. I just have to impress his representative first. No problem—I’m a pro.

Except the dragon rep is the guy I hooked up with last night, and he’s fast disproving everything I believed about dragons. Unless “wise” actually means “addicted to glitter” and “majestic” is a euphemism for “overgrown frat boy.”

Hagen might truly be the most annoying person ever, yet I can’t resist a date with him. One thing’s for sure, someone needs to write me a how-to guide for dating a dragon… glitter not included.

Download here!

Rarely Pure and Never Simple by Angel Martinez

The reread of the month! Freighter Flights is a reread too, but Rarely Pure and Never Simple is the story I talk about over at Holly’s. I’m so glad this series is happening. I read it for the first time many years ago, and then it was gone from the shelves, and all the while it said it was the first in a series. Now it’s available again, re-edited and the ending has been tweaked, and the second story will be released come autumn. Yay!

Rarely Pure and Never Simple Variant children are vanishing at an alarming rate. It will take a uniquely mismatched pair of trackers to untangle a web of conspiracy and misdirection to find them.

In his isolated cabin, variant Damien Hazelwood avoids human contact as much as possible to prevent attacks of blind berserker panic. But his rare talent as a locator makes him the go-to contractor for tricky missing person’s cases and when agents bring him a troubling contract involving missing variant children, he finds it impossible to refuse.

Licensed tracker Blaze Emerson can’t help being irritated when he’s expected to follow the strange, twitchy locator’s lead on his latest case. He works alone, he’s damn good, and as a variant sparker, he has both the fire and the firepower to take on anything out there. Though he has to admit there’s something intriguing about a man who can find people with his brain.

With vastly different temperaments and backgrounds, Damien and Blaze need to negotiate quickly how to work together if they’re going to crack this case. Add in the sudden appearance of Blaze’s outlaw ex, the perils of tracking in the wilds, and a maddening lack of discernible motive or method, and they soon find themselves in as much danger as the kids they’re trying to rescue.

Variant Configurations takes place in a future Earth where humanity is reclaiming its spot in a gradually healing world. This book contains mentions of past abuse, action-adventure style mayhem, and the beginning sparks of a slow burn, series-spanning relationship.

https://books2read.com/Rarely-Pure-and-Never-Simple

Guest Post | Love in an Elevator by Holly Day

July 25, 2022July 25, 2022 ~ Ofelia Gränd ~ 1 Comment

See outside elevator

Hello, everyone! I’m here as Holly today, and I thought I should tell you a little about my newest story, Love in an Elevator – yes, Aerosmith was part of my teenage soundtrack. And, okay, some of their songs are on some of my Spotify lists.

Love in an Elevator isn’t really about love in an elevator, more about falling in love in an elevator. I wrote it to celebrate National Talk in an Elevator Day and to make the talking a little harder, I made one of the characters have a fluency disorder. As if talking to strangers isn’t hard enough.

After years of speech therapy without success, Corey has given up on spoken language and communicates solely through sign language and written text.

Hayden doesn’t notice at first. He does his best to catch Corey in the elevator as often as he can, and since Corey nods and smiles, it takes a few rides before Hayden realises Corey hasn’t spoken to him.

I had a lot of fun writing this one, and while there is bullying, homophobia, discrimination and so on, I’ll still claim that it’s a light-hearted tale.

And if you have a thing for elevators, Ofelia’s Elevator Pitch is about two guys trapped in an elevator. So on Friday, Talk in an Elevator Day is celebrated on the last Friday of July, you can read two elevator stories. One is contemporary, and the other is paranormal 😊

Love in an Elevator

loveinanelevator

Corey Hope’s school years sucked. With a crippling stutter, he was easy prey, and despite being grown up, his bullies still haunt his nightmares. After he left school, he gave up on trying to talk, and communicates solely through sign language and written text. It works great even though he wished he could say something when Hayden flirts with him in the elevator.

Hayden does his best to catch Corey in the elevator as often as he can, and he thinks they might have something, but it all comes crashing down when Corey sees him having lunch with his colleagues. Corey might be drawn to Hayden, but seeing him with his school bullies has old memories washing over him. He won’t let them hurt him ever again, and he’d rather forget about Hayden than risk Hayden hurting him.

How will Hayden convince Corey he’s nothing like his colleagues when Corey refuses to see him?

Buy links:

Contemporary gay romance: 17,560 words

JMS Books :: Amazon :: books2read.com/LoveinanElevator

Excerpt:

The weekend had passed too damn fast. Corey liked his job, and he’d been lucky to get it, but he liked time off more. He worked from home for the most part and only went into the office for the occasional meeting, but those too were mostly conducted via Zoom these days.
His boss had sent him an email, listing the most urgent projects for him to have a look at. They had built several new websites for different clients, and as a front-end developer, it was his job to create the layout and make sure they ran smoothly.
Today, it didn’t run smoothly. He’d already spent three hours trying to find an error in the coding, and it was driving him insane when he couldn’t spot it.
Stretching, he went to put on more coffee. Once he’d pressed the button on the coffee maker, he stepped into his shoes and exited his apartment. The mail would’ve arrived. All mailboxes were on the ground floor of the building. Corey understood the mailman not wanting to run up all the floors, but sometimes he went weeks between checking his mail. He’d tried to make it routine to go down on his lunch break, but some days he didn’t have the energy. Now he needed a change of scenery.
He yawned and followed it up with another stretch while riding the elevator to the bottom floor. Once the doors slid open, he stepped out and rounded the corner to his left where the mailboxes covered an entire wall. Whisking his key out, he opened the metal door and grimaced at the stack of envelopes. The top one was the electricity bill.
He went back into the elevator while flicking through the letters. Nothing exciting. The door moved when a voice echoed through the lobby.
“Hold the elevator!”
Corey slid his foot out to halt the doors, and as he looked up, Hayden was hurrying toward him.
“Oh, hi.” He grinned, and Corey’s heart sped up. Hayden looked too good for his own good.
“How are you today?” He glanced at the top envelope in Corey’s hand. “Corey Hope?”
Corey smiled and nodded.
A scent of coffee filled the elevator, but this time Hayden didn’t carry a to-go cup. It had been hard to miss the cup he’d carried the last time—the bright green lime slices on an equally bright yellow background had made the cup light up the entire elevator.
Corey narrowed his eyes and breathed in deep. He wasn’t imagining the coffee scent, he couldn’t be.
“Smelling the coffee?”
Nodding, Corey glanced at him.
“Lucky, I wear black, right?” Hayden gestured at his chest, and the black fabric of his a little too tight T-shirt appeared wet. “It was so embarrassing you wouldn’t believe. I was meeting with a potential client, and I’d poured myself a cup of coffee when my asshole boss came through the door. I whirled around, spilled the coffee, and it was super-hot so in my haste to get the fabric away from my skin, I dropped the cup on the floor.”
Corey winced.
“It was a paper cup. What kind of office has paper cups?” He shook his head and sighed. “Tara will be horrified if I tell her. I haven’t decided if I should. It would lead to a ten-minute lecture.” He shrugged. “Could be an amusing one.”
Tara? Should Corey know who Tara was? Maybe she lived in the building too.
Then those dark eyes focused on Corey again. “Anyway, I turned back to the client to apologize for the mess and slipped on the coffee I’d spilled when I dropped the cup. One second, I was standing, the next I was crawling around on the floor. Most humiliating, I’ll have you know.”
Corey gasped and swept his gaze over him, searching for injuries.
“I’ll have a bruise on my hip for a week.” He grinned. “Or at least a couple of days.”
The elevator slowed and soon after the doors opened. Corey stepped out on his floor.
“Are you leaving me, Corey?” There was a sparkle of amusement in his eyes.
Corey nodded.
“But I’m injured. I’d hoped you’d at least offer to kiss it better.” He winked and heat rushed through Corey’s veins. Was Hayden flirting or was he making fun of him?
Corey shook his head, and Hayden exaggeratedly slumped his shoulders. “Maybe next time?”
Corey grinned but shook his head and hurried off toward his apartment. When he glanced over his shoulder, it was to find Hayden keeping the elevator doors from closing with his foot and watching Corey unlock his front door. He gave him a wave goodbye before entering.