Author Ally Blue

Interview: Aug 10, 2007

Wildfire would like to welcome Ally Blue, author of Fireflies, ARe—The eBookclub's August pick. We had a blast getting to know Ally and we're sure that you will too!

Join us for our meeting of ARe—The eBookclub on August 16th, 2007 at The Romance Galleria. We'll be giving out a coupon code that will allow the first fifty readers to download Fireflies for free. Watch our MySpace blog over the next few weeks for additional information, excerpts, and mini behind the scene interviews from people involved in the making of this hot new book!

A Sidhe warrior in exile. A young man with powers he's only beginning to understand. In their hands, the fate of two worlds.

A childhood encounter with one of the Sidhe sets Joseph Vines' life on a fateful course. Unable to forget the beautiful creature who promised to one day return for him, Joey spends the next twenty years learning, dreaming, and waiting.

Braeden Shay, a warrior of the Sidhe, has spent those same twenty years watching Joey from a distance, waiting for Joey's heritage to make itself known. When the time is ripe, Braeden steps in to protect Joey from those trying to kill him, and to help him deal with the changes turning his life inside out.

During the days that follow, as Braeden teaches Joey to harness and control his newfound power over the natural world, Joey finds himself falling for the gentle, patient Braeden. Braeden, who has watched over Joey for most of his life, is already deeply in love with him. When the forces targeting Joey for death catch up with them, it will take all their magic—and the power of their love for each other—to survive, and to save both their worlds.

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit male/male sex, graphic language, violence, and inappropriate use of plants.

Ally Blue

Angela: Describe a typical day.

Ally: Oh man. I have a full-time job, two kids, a house, and a husband, so my days are kind of hectic <g> I get up at 5:30 or 6:00, depending on whether or not school's in session (the kids' bus shows up at 6:45). Coffee first, make lunches, make sure the children are up, get myself dressed for work, get everyone out the door and to the bus stop on time, then on to the Evil Day Job. The less said about THAT, the better, trust me. Summer break is heaven because I get to sleep an extra half hour and don't have the hassle of making sure the kids get out the door.

After the EDJ is over, I come home, check my email, try to get in some sort of workout, handle whatever problems have cropped up at school or after, sign various papers from the kids' schools, and try to get some writing done. My hubby works from home (he's a freelance artist), so he does grocery shopping, cooking, and his fair share of housework, thank goodness. After dinner is Family Time, we all spend time together talking or watching TV or whatever. I generally have Oswald (my iBook) on my lap, writing while we watch TV. The family likes to tease me about that LOL

Angela: Where did you get the idea for your latest book?

Ally: Fireflies was first born on the front porch of my house on a summer evening at dusk. I was watching the fireflies in the field—we live out in the country—and thinking to myself, what if those were more than just bugs? What if they were some sort of magical creatures, able to shift from their normal form to that of a firefly? At first I figured they would be vampiric sort of beings, but that didn't seem quite right. Then I happened upon a passage on some website or other about faeries, which said the Fae were rumored to have the ability to appear to humans in any form they wanted. That was a real "aha!" moment, and it formed the core of the book.

Angela: What do you think is the biggest misconception about erotic romance fiction?

Ally: That it's all lurid, purple, and poorly plotted. Some of it is, sure, but you'll find less-than-gripping plots and prose that makes you despair for humanity in any genre. I think erotic romance fiction has come a long way in the last several years. There are some fantastic stories out there in this genre, stories with plots that keep you riveted and characters you can genuinely care about. I think now that women—and men!—are "coming out of the closet", so to speak, about their love for erotic romance, we are going to see more and more of it from major publishers.

Angela: When you set out to become an author, I'm sure that you have a vision in your mind about what it would be like. What aspect of an author's life has been the most surprising to you.

Ally: The promotion! I had no clue how to promote myself and my work, or how much promotion I was going to have to do. It's daunting sometimes, when you have SO much on your plate, to try and keep your name out there in front of readers. The good thing is, I love to talk to people. I came back from the Romantic Times convention practically sans voice from talking so much, and it was wonderful. I just wish I had more hours in the day; the EDJ plus family plus writing plus other obligations doesn't always leave as much time as I'd like for promotion. Writing has to come first, obviously, because if I don't keep writing, I have nothing TO promote. Good thing I love it so much!

Angela: Do you belong to any professional writing associations?

Ally: Er, well, no. Bad Ally! LOL. I'd considered joining RWA, but to be honest I can't see what I would get out of it that would make it worth spending my hard-earned cash on.

Angela: What do you do when you aren't writing? Any hobbies or special interests that you can tell us about?

Ally: I love reading, of course. I enjoy running, though I've sort of fallen out of the habit lately and have been so busy I can't seem to pick it up again. I love hanging out with my family—going to movies, hiking, swimming, games, you name it. Probably my favorite thing to do is checking out live bands. I LOVE music. It's been a very important part of my life ever since I was about thirteen. I nearly always have my iTunes on, or my iPod if Oswald isn't with me. Music festivals are fantastic, because you can see and hear such a huge variety of music. My biggest obsessions are Radiohead and Patrick Wolf. I collect any of their music I can find, and I know way more about them than any sane person should. But they make me happy and provide all kinds of inspiration, so it's all good <g>

Angela: Out of all of the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why? What books are currently on your nightstand?

Ally: My favorite of my characters. Hm, that's a tough one. I love them all, in different ways, and each one of them has been my favorite at some point. Right now, though, I'd have to say my favorite would be Dean Delapore from the Bay City Paranormal Investigations series. He showed up in book two, What Hides Inside, and damn near stole the show. He's compassionate, he's smart, he's HOT, and he's a hopeless flirt. Most of all, he talks to me. A LOT. In fact, he oh-so-sweetly demanded his own story. Which, needless to say, he got! Where The Heart Is is tentatively scheduled for early 2009, after the main Bay City Paranormal Investigations main series arc ends. Stay tuned...

What's on my nightstand? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I have been working really hard to keep from seeing any spoilers online. I have my own theories and I want to see if they pan out. I don't really expect Harry and Draco to get together like I want them to, but a girl can hope. For those saying "no way!", I say, all that pigtail pulling just HAS to mean something!

Other books cluttering my nightstand (and the bookshelf in my headboard, and the floor...): Boy's Life by Robert R. McCammon; Lord of the Rings, which lives beside my bed; Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card; Abarat by Clive Barker; Incubus Dreams (which I STILL haven't read); a poetry book I got at a library sale about twenty-five years ago; With Love by J.L. Langley; Black Seas of Infinity, a book of Lovecraft-inspired short stories; Cell by Stephen King; Love In Vein II; a book of ghost stories by M.R. James; a collection of children's books by Maurice Sendak; and a whole bunch of paperbacks I got at RT. Whew!

Angela: Dealing with writing deadlines can be a challenge. What do you do to cope with the stress?

Ally: Ignore it <g> Seriously, I don't usually stress too hard about deadline pressure.

**waits for critique partners to stop laughing**

Okay, so I stress some. But, my stress is usually all saved for the last couple of weeks before the manuscript is due. That's when I realize how much I have left to write and/or polish, and how little time I have left to do it in. At that point I get a bit panicky and tend to spend entire weekends hunched over the laptop typing. It usually works out, though. I haven't missed a deadline yet! Knock on wood LOL.

Angela: What's next for you?

Ally: Book three of the Bay City Paranormal Investigations series, Twilight, will be coming out in October. What Hides Inside will be released in print that same month, so that's kind of cool. Book four, Closer, is contracted and partially written in my head, and I have a basic idea for book five. I know more or less how I want the series arc to end, but that won't be the end of the BCPI stories. At least, I hope not <g> Like I said before, Dean's story, Where The Heart Is, is already contracted, and I'd really love to write more stories about this group. They're a great bunch to play with.

I'm working on Untamed Heart right now, which is slated for release early next year from Samhain. It's the angstiest angst-fest yet, y'all, so be prepared. I have all sorts of ideas swimming around in my brain, and I hope some of them will be found worthy of publication. My goal in life is to one day quit the Evil Day Job and support my family on angsty gay manlove! Hey, you gotta have a dream.

Ally Blue used to be a good girl. Really. Married for twenty years, two lovely children, house, dogs, picket fence, the whole deal. Then one day she discovered slash fan fiction. She wrote her first fan fiction story a couple of months later and has since slid merrily into the abyss. She has had several short stories published in the erotic e-zine Ruthie's Club, and is a regular contributor to the original slash e-zine Forbidden Fruit. Her books are available through Loose Id and Samhain Publishing.

Backlist:
Forgotten Song, Loose Id
The Burning Man (in the anthology A Kiss At Midnight), Loose Id
Easy, Loose Id
The Collector 4: Eight Arms to Hold You, Loose Id
Willow Bend, Samhain Publishing
Love's Evolution, Samhain Publishing
Oleander House (Bay City Paranormal Investigations, book 1), Samhain Publishing
Eros Rising (also available in the print anthology Hearts From the Ashes), Samhain Publishing
What Hides Inside (Bay City Paranormal Investigations, book 2), Samhain Publishing
Catching A Buzz, Samhain Publishing
Fireflies, Samhain Publishing

Coming Soon:
Twilight (Bay City Paranormal Investigations, book 3), Samhain Publishing
Untamed Heart, Samhain Publishing

Links:
Ally Blue
MySpace
Fiction with Friction Blog
Slash and Burn Blog
Yahoo Group

If you would like to request an interview, please send a query to
info@allromanceebooks.com

Until next time!
Angela Lovell
Wildfire Interview Coordinator
All Romance eBooks

The Taste of Mint, The Taste of You by Aurora Black
This story is rated 4 flames. It contains explicit love scenes described using graphic and direct language. Read at your own discretion.

Mmm, the condom. An invention that can be traced back thousands of years. Such a tiny, yet revolutionary item that was made from materials ranging from linen to lambskin before finally moving on to rubber.

But I'm not thinking of any of that yet as I push you down onto my black leather sofa, kissing you hungrily. I want to devour you. My love, I've wanted you for so long. I take a very small moment and admire the pretty picture you make. Your golden brown eyes flashing with desire in the dim light, your red hair spread out below you, creating a striking foil against the black. The fiery locks call out to me; you make me burn.

I clench my thighs together as the wet heat between them intensifies. I continue to stare at you, wondering how you managed to get under my skin so quickly. Amazed that in the two months we've been seeing each other, you worked yourself so completely into my thoughts, my heart. Making me toss and turn at night as I imagined your hands, lips and tongue caressing me all over my body. Making me cry out your name as I came hard against my fingers, loud enough for all the neighbors to hear. I didn't give a damn, because I couldn't think of anything but my need for you. Fingers and toys are no longer enough; I can't wait anymore. I want your cock.

I'm dimly aware of Ravel's "Bolero" playing in the background as I settle on top of you, grinding my hips against yours. You moan and grab for me, and I chuckle softly at your impatience. I rake my nails down your chest as I lightly bite the side of your neck, my tongue soothing the ache. Your soft growl turns into a tortured groan as I move down to your sensitive nipples, and you thrust upward against me. I can feel your erection throbbing against my mound, unaware that my teasing of you is having the same effect on me. I want to take you now, but I force myself to wait a little while longer because I want to make our first time as special as possible.

I trail butterfly kisses from your chest to your abdomen as I work my way down, and I can feel your rock-hard muscles quiver as my lips touch them. Your breath catches. Anticipation? God, I hope so. I can feel it too, so much so that I can feel my juices overflowing at the thought of what's coming.

I leave you briefly to unbutton your fly and shove your jeans down to your ankles. I know that I'm a bit rough, but I don't care and neither do you. You kick the jeans off and watch as I strip for you. I let the music guide me as I slide my clothes off, revealing myself to you. You gaze at me as I return to the couch, my love and desire reflected in your lion's eyes.

I'm so ready for you, baby. I position myself between your trembling thighs. I glance up at you and you give me that trademark grin of yours that melts my heart and makes my clit throb simultaneously. I caress your thighs tenderly before I devote my attention to what lies between them. I place my lips close and blow hot air on your cock, and I laugh when it jumps from the sensation. The laughter is short lived, and I soon grow serious. Playtime is over. Time to fuck.

I climb back up to kiss your lips as I reach for my purse, which landed on the back part of the couch in all the excitement. Inside are the tools to help make tonight successful, sensual, fun and more importantly, safe. I remove the little bundle from my bag and smile as you take in the sight of the condom, the small tube of lube and the dental dam that I'm holding in my hands.

You look at the condom wrapper and you smile in amusement.

"'Mint Delight?'"

I kiss you again, my tongue making wicked promises as it mates with yours. I break away, panting hard.

"You'll see. Actually, you'll feel while I taste."

You watch as I tear open the packet and remove the unlubed condom. You rub my body in all the right places and grab the dental dam as I squeeze a drop of lube into the resevoir tip for your pleasure.

I stare hotly into your eyes as I bring the condom to my pouty lips. I lean over your straining cock and wrap my hand around the base, placing the flavored rubber slowly onto you. You're so excited, sweetheart. You tense and groan as I swirl my tongue around the protected head, removing any potential air bubbles. You try to push deeper into my mouth as I roll the condom down, but I hold on to your hips to keep you still. For now, this is my show.

I finish and take a long swipe at you with my tongue as I come up. Mmm, minty fresh. I move to face your feet while you place the dental dam against my aching sex, and I take you deep into my mouth again as you lick me.

We are locked in a circle of lust; our muffled moans echo in the room as we take each other higher. You're doing such incredible things to me with your mouth, and I'm eager to return the favor. You cry out and stiffen beneath me as I come against you, my head spinning from the explosion of pleasure and the taste of your minty passion in my mouth.

Aurora Black is a self-proclaimed "passionate woman of the world in an ingénue's clothing", who made her erotic literary debut in late 2006 with Phaze. She got her start at Literotica, where she learned the basics of the writing trade and gained the confidence she needed to turn professional.

An erotica writer by day and sultry jazz singer at night, Aurora uses her vivid imagination combined with (glamorized) life experiences as material for her works. Living in exotic Europe for six years made an everlasting impact on the Detroit-area native, and she writes to express the deepest—and sometimes darkest—parts of her soul along with her great love of the written word. Like her characters, she pursues her dreams with everything she has.

Backlist:
I Heart You, Phaze
Melting the Ice Queen, Phaze

Coming Soon:
Bitter Harvest, Phaze

Websites:
Aurora Black
Blog
MySpace

Submissions to The Weekly Sizzle should be sent to Sizzle@allromanceebooks.com. We are looking for original short stories, 1-5 flames, 200-2000 words.

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Sent: Aug 10, 2007