THE NEXT BIG THING!

Special thanks to my divinely awesome and wonderfully wicked friend Isabella LaPearl for inviting me to join in the fun and hyjinx of THE NEXT BIG THING romance authors hop! We're all posting this week about what we've got in the works for the new year. Hope you find it interesting. (And see below for some shout-outs to my other favorite writers...)

TEN Juicy Interview Questions for The Next BIG Thing:

1: What is the working title of your book?

GARRETT: The Fire Dom -- Book 1 of The W.I.L.D. (Warriors Intense in Love & Domination) Boys of Special Forces

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

I started researching military guys when I was doing a background story for Mark Moore, the hero of my Kinky Truth Series, Book 2: "Permanent Marker." About this time, the Mark Owens book, "No Easy Day," was released. I devoured it! So, I tried working in a trio of brothers, all Navy guys, into my 3rd Kinky Truth book, "Star of Wonder." I had SUCH a blast working on those chapters featuring Dyl, Nik and Cam!

Well, when I decided to kick off 2013 by working on a self-published book, I naturally turned back to the joyous experience (for me) of writing tortured, smack-talking, alpha-Dom military boys. Writing these guys is like Jolly Rancher candy for me...sweet, hard and delicious in ALL the right places.

3: What genre does your book fall under?
 

Erotic romance.

4: Which Actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

LOVE this question! I always, ALWAYS have to have physical models in my head of my heroes and heroines. It's likely because like a lot of writers, the stories unfold for me exactly like movies in my mind, complete with costumes, sets and music in place too; LOL!

For Garrett, I selected the awesomely talented Zach Roerig. (You know Zach most popularly as Matt on "Vampire Diaries"--which is kind of funny because Zeke, his best friend and the hero of Book 2 in the W.I.L.D. Boys series, is going to be Stephen Amell, from another CW Series, "Arrow.")

For Sage, I picked the gorgeous Elizabeth Olsen. She's the ideal physical match for Sage, and I think a bit of her innate intelligence comes through in Sage, too. Garrett Isn't going to be easy to handle in this book, so Sage is going to need every ounce of her wits and wisdom!

5: What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Garrett Hawkins is given back the woman of his dreams from the grave--only now, he won't trust his heart to love her again.

6: Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?

Self-published in February 2013.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

About 7 weeks. (Of course, that was after 3 weeks of "head time" with the story first.)

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Well, I can tell you what other authors influence me, and what I like to read! I'm a walking, talking fan club for Cherise Sinclair, Shayla Black and Kallypso Masters. I've also really been enjoying the shorter, sassier works of the HDP authors like Ava Snow, Kassandra Cox, Edward Tailor, and of course our own Isabella LaPearl too! Right now, I'm also devouring every "inside" story on Special Forces that I can. The Owens book was STUNNING. I've just finished Howard Wasdin's book, "SEAL Team Six," too.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I am completely attracted by the juxtaposition of fighters being lovers as well. The idea of a man going out and crawling through swamps and across deserts to save his land, and then coming home and unleashing all his passion on his woman too, is just REALLY damn sexy. (Note to self: go watch "Dear John" again even though the ending sucks.)

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

If you are into deep emotion and tortured heroes who find their redemption and their healing through love, then my stuff is for you. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy writing the humor and smack talk with the guys, and you'll find PLENTY of that between Garrett and Zeke, but ultimately, my wheelhouse is giving you two lovers who MUST come together if their souls are to find peace. I'll take you quite a rollercoaster! it's what I love!!

Thank you to the NEXT BIG THING for this opportunity! Please check out the following authors, who also have some EXCITING STUFF up their naughty little sleeves for you in the new year!!

Alex Cook

Jenna Jacob

Ava Snow

Tim Goodwood

Cleo Taurus

Chris Sheerin

Rowan Elizabeth

Shayla Black

Alannah Lynne

Cherise Sinclair

Kassandra Cox

An Adventure: Sitting in the Screenwriters Chair for some Magical Mike Musings

There’s only so much a writer girl can do on the 405 Freeway before her mind either turns to mush or starts spinning new stories. Those of you who live in Southern California know exactly what I’m talking about. (We have a joke out here—that isn’t so much of a joke, really—that the reason they called it the 405 is because it takes 4 or 5 hours to get up it.)

Okay, so hold on to your panties (or…not), but I’m going to confess a secret. During my last few torture sessions—er, I mean journeys—on the 405, I’ve been entertaining this gooey, yummy little fantasy called, “What IF they consulted a romance writer for ideas on ‘Magic Mike Two’?”  Because you see, I was actually one of the people walking out of the theater on MM Numero Uno and NOT thinking about the dance scenes. (Side note: Chan Sweetie, you are a graceful god when the music turns up, but I'm a freak; I love your acting even more.) No lie, the only thing that kept rolling (translation: tormenting) my brain was: “This movie can’t be over.” I actually turned to my friend and said, “They could tell so much more of this story. They really could.”

Okay gang, so for better or worse, here’s the official Angel Payne “Magic Mike Two” story treatment…sort of. I’m sorta needing help with the last act of the plot. Wanna help?

SETTING THE SCENE: Mike’s working his ass off on making his new business work. He wants to settle down with Brooke but lo and behold, she has commitment issues. (Sorry, Cody Horn, but Angel has OTHER plans for Mike this time around…) Things just don’t seem to be clicking for the business, either. Mike sighs heavily a lot, and honestly thinks, “What the hell am I doing wrong here?” Goes to the water to brood and think. Insert very cool song to back this sequence, preferably by up-and-coming artist nobody’s heard of so as to make it even more cool and edgy.

During the epic brood, Mike’s phone rings. It’s Big Dick (because we SO didn’t get enough of Joe in the first movie, am I right?) and he says they need help at the new club in Tampa—like, desperately. Dallas has decided to go fall in love with an earth goddess/Reiki teacher/shakra balancer, and now he’s decided that the stripping life will corrupt his chi. They’re rudderless. They need Mike’s leadership in a big way. Well, Mike can’t let his friends down even if it means shit for HIS chi, so off he goes to Tampa.

The scene in Tampa clicks no better for him, though. He’s making more money that he ever dreamed, but it all still feels so empty. (Again, needing oh-so-cool music here.) The other guys aren’t daft. They see Mike’s in a funk, and so after work one night, they drag his ass to a GIRL stripping club. He really does NOT want to be there but they force him to sit down, making excuses that maybe he’ll pick up on some moves—ha ha ha—lots of smack talking and beers are had by all.

It’s time for the next act to come out. They introduce the girl simply as Ariel. The guys all make mermaid jokes, but from the second the dancer comes out, Mike is transfixed by her. She’s this GORGEOUS , petite brunette with huge dark eyes and a dazzling smile…and he already feels connected to her, like maybe they’ve met in another life. (Gee; who could play that part? She’d have to be a really good dancer, someone who could keep up with Channing…somebody who has CHEMISTRY with him…*taps chin*…I just dunno…something starting with a “J” is rolling through my head for some reason…)

Photo Courtesy of PETA

Ariel’s number knocks Mike on his gorgeous ass. Her act isn’t a traditional bump and grind, but rather a slow, gorgeous, erotic art form incorporating ballet moves and everything, that eventually transforms everyone in the place—especially Mike.  One thing leads to another, and the guys finally get him to go talk to her, though Mike and Ariel barely say a word to each other. She finds out he’s just in town for a little while. He finds out she’s working her way through college—but it’s taking a long time because she has to pay for it all on her own.

Finally, Tarzan ends up blurting out that Mike’s a dancer too, and Ariel should really come see him do his thing sometime. Mike is mortified—especially because a few nights later, Ariel DOES show up. Mike doesn’t find out about this until AFTER he’s performed, however.

Photo Courtesy of Fanpop

Now, here’s a tidbit of the scene that ensues after that. They’re in Mike’s dressing room (yeah, the club in Tampa has dressing rooms! Woo; fancy!) and Mike is drenched in sweat (had to give you all a visual, didn’t I?)

Mike:    Shit. I can’t believe you’re here. You actually came.

Ariel:     (With shy smile) Why are you so surprised?

Mike:    I’m not surprised. Okay, so I AM surprised. But I’m more…uh...embarrassed.

Ariel:     (Eyes go wide) Why? Are you serious?

Mike:    What I do out there…it’s nothing like what you do. It doesn’t make people feel anything.

Ariel:     Bullshit!

Mike:    Did you just say ‘bullshit?’ You…cuss?

Ariel:     Don’t change the subject. You really don’t see it?

Mike:    See what?

Ariel:     You cannot be that dense. (Her anger softens. Looks him in the eyes. Moves closer.) You give that audience a gift, Mike. You give them a few minutes of forgetting about the crap of their lives. You make them feel… (she stops, swallowing hard)

Mike:    What?

Ariel:     You make them feel excited. Alive.  When you leap, they do, too. When you grin, everyone in the room can’t help but do the same thing. You make them feel… (she smiles now too) magical.

Mike is very quiet. A beat. Another.

Mike:    Is that the way I make you feel?

Ariel is equally quiet. Eyes meet. Another heavy, yummy beat.

Ariel:     Yes.

Mike takes her face in his hands, and kisses her…

Okay, Scooby kids…believe it or not, this is where I get stuck! For those of you who know me and my incorrigible mind, you KNOW I’ve got ideas…but what about yours? Where do we—er, I mean THEY—go from here? Share, share, share...

For Veterans Day: yes, even the Key Grip Matters!

Okay, show of hands. Who sits through the credits at movies? And no, you AREN’T allowed to count the Marvel super hero flicks where you know there’s a bonus scene at the end of the saga-length lists, either. (Or even an extra long, slow-motion, shampoo-commercial-worthy head flip from Chris Hemsworth, either...grrrrr....)

I’ll be honest. I’m one of those dweebs who really does like to sit there sometimes, gazing ALL those names going by, and say to myself, “Wow, there were FIVE Key Grips on this movie!” (Uhhh, if anyone DOES know what a Key Grip does, please respond…I’d love to know myself…) It really blows my mind to see just how many team players it takes to create two hours of creative magic.

Now take this idea, and apply it to a military base that has to function like its own city in a foreign land. Or an aircraft carrier that has to do the same thing on WATER. Or a command post that has to do it in the middle of a jungle, a desert, a third-world village, even on an iceberg. To us, all these things may sound as foreign as making a movie. To the amazing men and women of our military forces, this is “another day on the job.”

As we take this day to reflect on our gratitude for our service men and women—and to be honest, why limit this to just a day?—I’ll admit that I often make the mistake so many of us do, that we assume our country is represented, protected and cared for only by those guys we see in the movies. Don’t get me wrong; our front-line fighters are the best, brightest and most bad-ass warriors on the planet…but they wouldn’t have the strength to take down those bad guys without a cook who got up at the crack of ass to make their eggs that day. The helicopter that exfils them from the op would fall out of the sky without technicians, mechanics and nerves-of-steel pilots to keep that bird running right and guided back to safety. Their families back at home rely every day on people who get their paychecks filed right, their kids’ teeth fixed, their base running smoothly, and all the other details they don’t have to worry about so they can focus on THEIR job: keeping their country safe.

When you think of our proud veterans on this extremely important holiday, remember that it takes a team—a HUGE one—to make collective sacrifices for us all. Some of those tasks in the effort are the ones you see in pictures and glorified in movies. But MANY of them are the thankless jobs you won’t ever hear about…the “Key Grip #3”’s of the armed forces. THEY are heroes, too. They’ve equally given up the comforts of being at home in order to serve our country. And they all deserve to be thanked, too.

This blog post is part of a really cool Blog Hop that’s being sponsored by the VERY awesome ROMANCE CRUSH JUNKIES E-ZINE. You can check out the RCJE goddesses, right here!  Be sure to click through to the hop here, so you can check out the other VERY awesome writers who are participating in our week-long celebration of our nation’s proud Vets.

As a part of the celebration, we are also all doing giveaways. I’ve chosen to do mine a bit differently. If you’d like, please respond to this blog to be “entered” in my giveaway. If you cannot respond to the blog, you can pop me an e-mail at: Angelpaynewrites(at)gmail(dot)com.

The deal is: my “prize” will be a $30 donation to the Disabled American Veterans organization.These fine folks are currently helping over 20,000 veterans and their dependents with a multitude of extremely vital services. To find out more about the DAV, look here.

THANK YOU again to the amazing, selfless, brilliant men and women who serve our country each and every day. We are proud of you!