Wildfire would like to welcome authors KT Pinto and GA Hauser.

K.T. Pinto

Julie: When a new book comes out, are you nervous about how readers will react to it?

KT: I've only had one book out so far; I was panicked about what people would think. Most of my friends are not only avid readers, but are genre lovers. Fantasy, horror, romance… I even have one friend who is a history fanatic. So I was freaking when Celeste first came out. Would they like it? Hate it? Their opinion meant a lot to me. Luckily, I apparently have some talent, because the book was well received.

So now with Vanity coming out, I'm not as panicked, but I am worried that Vanity's world won't be as well received as Celeste's was. I think all writers go through that…

Julie: How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination?

KT: I've been writing for almost 25 years. I started because my parents moved us from Brooklyn to Staten Island, and I hated it. So I began writing my own worlds with these amazing characters (if I do say so myself) who were so much more interesting than those around me. It was through my writing that I met my own group of misfits who perceived Staten Island the way I did, and I've been writing ever since then.

Julie: What makes your characters so vulnerable yet strong? Can you describe them to us? What do you do when characters stop talking to you when writing?

KT: My characters are supernatural, so I pretty much had the 'strong' part down. The dilemma was making these monsters lovable, or at least likeable. It's making them as human as possible without losing the horror that was my biggest challenge. When they fall silent, I have to put the manuscript aside and take a break until they're ready to talk again.

Julie: What do you feel is the most important thing that a first-time author should know?

KT: You must have patience and ego in order to survive as an author. Not everyone is going to like your work…and some people aren't shy about saying so. You're going to get rejections, and it may take a while before you find your niche and others appreciate your work. But as long as you believe in your talent and you work, you will eventually find someone who believes in it as well, and wants to publish it.

Julie: What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants, or a combination of both?

KT: For my 'Books of Insanity' series (of which Celeste and Vanity are a part) I have a basic timeline sketched out, since the series covers over 2000 years of history. I also have each book marked for a certain period in time, but beyond that, the novels are made by me following what the characters want to do.

Julie: What do you hope for your writing career in the next few years? Any goals that you have yet to obtain that you have set for yourself?

KT: I hope for the Books of Insanity to one day catch a producer's eye and become movie-worthy. That's the far-reaching dream. On a smaller scale I'd like to see the entire series published, and hopefully see my young adult series, The Left-Overs, in print one day as well.

Julie: What books are currently on your nightstand?

KT: The Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, A Year And A Day by Sara M. Harvey, and a pile of back issues of Cosmo…

Julie: Describe the space where you write.

KT: I am very particular about how I write. I like writing longhand with a mechanical pencil. I always carry paper and something to write with wherever I go (a pen is usually more convenient when traveling than a mechanical pencil…) so when I have an inspiration, I can jot it down. My manuscripts wind up being a notebook with over a hundred pieces of paper stapled to it that fit into the storyline with linking scenes written in pencil to hold it all together. The pencil scenes I usually write while sitting on my futon, leaning on a folding table, watching a movie I've seen a hundred times.

Julie: What's next for you?

KT: After Vanity comes book #3 in the series, Marco, and then book #4, Triad.

Julie: Do you remember the first romance novel that you read?

KT: I can't remember the first, but the one that stuck with me was A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux.

KT was born in Brooklyn, NY, where children are raised with strong opinions and city attitudes. She spent most of her young life with her nose in a book and, when she was bad, she was punished by being sent outside to interact with other children.

She started writing science fiction when she was 12, and then began a teen romance series entitled The Left-Overs that - over six years - became 25 novels long. None of these novels have made it to print yet because, in her own words, these novels need a loooooooot of work. She then tried her hand at adult romance and fantasy, until she found her niche in horror...but not the horror she's writing today. Although vampyric in nature, the novel she began writing in college had a different supernatural mythos and a heroine that was completely human.

The mythos of Celeste didn't occur until KT created her as a one-shot for a LARP she had a hand in running (for a full pictorial explanation of Celeste's creation, click here). The rest, as they say, is history...

For more about KT, go to www.ktpinto.com

Backlist:
Celeste , Mundania Press

Coming soon:
Vanity, Mundania Press
Marco, Mundania Press
Triad, Mundania Press

Links:
Website
LiveJournal
MySpace

G.A. Hauser

Julie: How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination?

G.A.: I have written stories since I was in junior high. Most I tore up so no one would read them. But I started seriously trying to write novel-length books in 1990. I wrote my own books because the novels I was reading weren't going where I wanted them to go. I felt as if I couldn't get what I was looking for. And I read a lot of books, experimenting with new authors. I usually came away disappointed.

 Julie: What have you found to be the best experience(s) since you began writing?

G.A.: The reaction of the people who read them, especially if they enjoy it. And of course getting good, positive reviews. I like seeing the genre become something respectable and understood as a fresh approach to men bonding and loving, which isn't PWP (Porn Without Plots). The process of writing is very enjoyable to me as well. I love living with the characters in my books while I'm with them.

 Julie: Where do you get your inspiration?

G.A.: Everywhere. Ironically since I've moved back to the states, my brother has taken it upon himself to brainstorm whenever we're together. Out of the blue he shouts out an idea, laughing at himself as if it's too funny to believe. He's married with children, but he thinks he's hilarious to come up with gay scenarios. And to be honest, he's responsible for a few of the good ones I've just completed, like Mile High. I advised him he was going to get credit for inspiring them in the dedication part of my books. He raised his eyebrow at that. So, I got to return his laughter and point a warning finger at him. No one is safe from an aspiring author.

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

G.A.: I love being physical. Running, biking, skating, working out. I also enjoy cooking. I've been delving into Middle Eastern and African recipes. Nice change from the norm. The spices are so aromatic and exotic.

Julie: What do you hope for your writing career in the next few years? Any goals that you have yet to obtain that you have set for yourself?

G.A.: I suppose all of us authors out there want the same thing. To earn a living at what we love to do, to make the New York Times Bestseller list one day? I don't know. To achieve a goal of making their novels worldwide reading. All of the above? I think there is great satisfaction in knowing you have touched people in a deep way, and also to leave something behind when you die. I mean, my novels will be somewhere in the world when I'm long forgotten.

Julie:   If you weren't writing romance, what would you be writing?

G.A.: I've written suspense, thrillers, comedies, theater plays…but it seems I'm in demand for my Man/Man romances. Which I don't mind, because they are my favorite.

 Julie: You have some great secondary characters in your books. Will we see spin offs in regards to them in their own storylines?

G.A.: There already has been some overlapping. Check out Love you, Loveday. He's the wonderful soft porn actor that Steve Miller met in Capital Games. If you're a fan, you always can be sure of a 'guest appearance' from another novel. I love doing that. It's as if your old friend has shown up to say hi, or even better, it's like watching a good television program and a star from another one crosses over to make a connection. Like the old Ally McBeal shows and The Practice lawyer drama. They had two episodes where the characters collided. I loved it. It seems David E. Kelley enjoys the same concept. And he hasn't done half bad! LOL

Julie: What's next for you?   What are you working on now?

G.A.: I'm working on another M/M novel. Let's just say, the Love Boat the way I would have wrote it. Naughty, naughty. ;)

Julie: What books are currently on your nightstand?

G.A.: I'm reading my first Sherrilyn Kenyon book, Dark Side of the Moon. I'm not sure what I think about it. The jury is still out on that one. I did just finish Court Appointed by Annmarie McKenna, and I loved it. Oh, and Jumping the Fence by Stephanie Vaughan. Awesome. Good stuff.

Julie: If someone hasn't read any of your work, what book would you recommend that they start with and why?

G.A.: I wish that was an easy question to answer. If you like a little bit of thriller in your read, start with Naked Dragon. If you like your romance a little lighter, Secrets and Misdemeanors. If you want a good laugh, wait for Mile High. It's a riot. Then, if you really want some heat, go for Capital Games. I suppose I'm not answering that question very well. I love them all. I just hope whichever one you pick up, you enjoy.

Award-winning author G. A. Hauser was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, USA and attended university in New York City. She moved to Seattle, Washington where she worked as a patrol officer with the Seattle Police Department. In early 2000 G.A. moved to Hertfordshire, England where she began her writing in earnest and published her first book, In the Shadow of Alexander. Now a full-time writer in Ohio, G.A. has written dozens of novels, including several best sellers of gay fiction. Most recently G.A.'s The Kiss and Capital Games became an Amazon #1 best seller in Gay Fiction and Secrets and Misdemeanors won the All Romance eBook (ARe) award for Best Book of 2007. It is no wonder ARe recognized her with their Best Author of 2007 Award.

Backlist:
In the Shadow of Alexander, Publish America
The Rise and Fall of the Sacred Band of Thebes, Publish America
The Physician and the Actor, Publish America
A Question of Sex, Linden Bay Romance
For Love and Money, Linden Bay Romance
The Kiss, Linden Bay Romance
Naked Dragon, Linden Bay Romance
Secrets and Misdemeanors, Linden Bay Romance
Miller's Tale, Phaze
Capital Games, Linden Bay Romance
Giving Up the Ghost, Linden Bay Romance
Teacher's Pet, Phaze
To Have and To Hostage, Linden Bay Romance

Coming soon:
Love you, Loveday, Linden Bay Romance
The Boy Next Door, Linden Bay Romance
Mile High, Linden Bay Romance
Exposure, Linden Bay Romance
When Adam Met Jack, Linden Bay Romance
Murphy's Hero, Linden Bay Romance
Cruising, Linden Bay Romance

Links:
Website
Contact

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

Until next time!

Julie Cummings
Wildfire Interview Coordinator
All Romance eBooks

Friends With Benefits by Cat Johnson
This story is rated 4 flames. It contains explicit love scenes described using graphic and direct language. Read at your own discretion.

Part 2

Meg's sucked in a breath with a loud, painful wheeze. "You've been with someone else!"

At least he had the decency to look contrite, almost horrified actually, as he nodded.

"When?" she demanded, beyond shocked.

"Last Friday night." Obviously anticipating this wasn't going to be a short conversation, Jeff threw the unopened foil package on the nightstand and leaned back against the headboard, hands clasped remorsefully in his naked and rapidly deflating lap.

"While I was visiting my parents in Florida?"

"Yes. I was out drinking with some of the guys from work and this chick at the bar was giving me the eye. I didn't even notice at first. The other guys did and invited her over. She'd obviously had too much to drink." He shrugged. "I didn't intend for anything to happen, but she was too drunk to drive and she lives on my way home. I ended up driving her home."

Jeff didn't elaborate about what happened when they arrived at her place. He didn't have to. Meg felt ill. She must have looked ill, too, because Jeff jumped to defend himself. "Hey, we agreed we are not exclusive. Remember? We're fuck buddies, Meg. Rule number one clearly states that it is okay if either of us hook up elsewhere as long as we wear protection. And you were gone for two whole weeks and didn't even call me once to say you'd gotten there alive and your plane didn't crash or something. How was I to know you weren't with some southern boy down there?"

"Well, I wasn't," Meg spat. In fact, she hadn't even considered it.

"Well, I didn't know that."

She let out an unattractive sound, "Yeah, like that would have stopped you."

Jeff's mumbled something that sounded like, "It might have."

"What?"

"Nothing. Look, I'm here now, aren't I? This doesn't have to affect you and me at all. We're still friends who scratch each other's itch once in a while, just like we agreed months ago. Right?"

Did that sound sarcastic? Bitter, maybe? And what right did he have to be either? He was the one having sex with someone else, Meg thought as she folded her arms across her chest defensively. Yeah, that itch thing had sounded good when they'd come up with it. So had Rule Number One. Neither was sounding so good anymore.

Meg remembered the night vividly, the beginning of the "friends with benefits" agreement. She'd rented a DVD. A chick flick that Jeff had grudgingly agreed to watch with her since he'd had no other plans for the night. It turned out the movie had some pretty hot and heavy love scenes in it, leaving Jeff with a hard-on he tried to hide with the throw pillow and leaving Meg wet and wanting.

It was that night the "two friends scratching an itch" theory had been born. No strings. Still friends. Still single and available, but they fucked each other when the need arose. Yeah, it had seemed like a really good idea then. Not so hot right now, though, since she'd always thought she'd be the one to find someone else first. Maybe even fall in love, and then she would end this side thing with Jeff, while still keeping his friendship, of course. She'd probably even have him be part of her wedding party when the time came. The best of both worlds, sex and friendship. But to have him beat her to it...

Meg swallowed the lump suddenly in her throat. "Are you going to see her again?"

He shrugged casually. How the hell could he be casual about this? "I have her number. Maybe. I don't know. Why? I thought you wanted…"

"I know what you thought," Meg bit out.

"And?"

"And I don't know." Meg had a bad feeling she was pouting.

Jeff crossed his own arms. "They are your rules, Meg. You made them. You have to live by them, too, just like I do."

The bastard had her there. But dammit, this was no time to be logical. "I know," she admitted. 

Jeff let out a frustrated breath. "So does this mean I came all the way over here, after being woken up out of a dead sleep, so I can get bitched at and not have sex?"

She considered the nauseous feeling in her belly and the strange tightness in her chest. She was totally not in the mood anymore. "Yup, that's what it means."

He spun to face the opposite wall and yanked the covers up over him. "Fine. But I'm not going back out in the cold. If you can't stand to be in the same bed with me, you can sleep on the couch since you're the one that initiated this tonight and then started changing the rules."

"Yeah, well…fine!"  The sick feeling in the pit of her stomach intensified as she thought how the rules sucked. And she'd be damned before she gave up her own bed to him. He would just have to deal with her being in it, and mad, right next to him. She pulled her pants back on and flicked off the light switch.

Slumping back against the pillow she crossed her arms in the darkness with defiance and held on tightly to her anger which only meant that even an hour later, sleep still wouldn't come even though Jeff had been peacefully snoring since his head hit the pillow. Men!

Her head spun with visions of him being with someone else. It made her never want to sleep with him again, but at the same time, had her fearing that exact thing.

Meg flopped over one more time, as violently and noisily as she could while cushioned by flannel and goose down. This time, the snoring stopped and she felt him roll towards her.

"What's wrong?" he asked sleepily.

"I can't sleep." Swallowing her pride, the fear of losing him completely made her add, "and I'm sorry."

He reached out one arm and pulled her until her back nestled against his chest. "I'll forgive you."

Staring into the darkness, lit only by the nightlight in the hall, Meg let out of huff. "But honestly, Jeff. Are you telling me if we can't fuck because I am out of town, you are going to go out and pick up the first, possibly disease-ridden chick you find in a bar and take her home?"

She sat up and flipped on the bedside light, flopping back hard and staring at him accusingly.

He didn't answer her question but instead sighed. "I doubt she is disease-ridden. She's a nurse. And I thought you were sorry, so why are you still bitching?"

What could Meg say to that? Because I never thought you would find someone else before I did.  That sounded about as bitchy as you could get and she hated to prove him right. Instead, she bit her cheek and remained silent.

He pulled her back against him again. "Mmm. Bitchy or not, I want you." Jeff pressed his erection against her hip and she felt exactly how true his statement was. She didn't object as he began to kiss her neck and then slid one hand into the pants of her pajamas. "Wanna play?" he asked.

His finger snaked in between her clenched thighs, found and connected with her clit and she couldn't lie to herself. Hurt, angry, jealous but yes, when he touched her there, she wanted to play. She just didn't want to admit it.

He chuckled. "Ah, the silent treatment. That's okay. Your pussy has told me everything I need to know."

Meg's mouth screwed up in distaste. "I hate when you use that word."

"I know. That's why I use it. What word would you prefer? Cunt?" She heard the laughter in his voice.

"No!" Definitely not.

He chuckled. "Vagina, then?"

Ewwww. She shook her head. "Too clinical." And something a nurse might say.

"Well, you think about it and let me know, but for your information, your female part that shall not be named is very, very wet."

"Yeah? Well that has nothing to do with you. I was reading a trashy novel before you got here."

"Ah ha! Finally, the real reason for the midnight booty call is revealed." He nuzzled her neck, nipping gently with his teeth, driving her crazy as he slid two fingers inside the body part in question.

Her head lolled to one side as she managed to grumble through the pleasure, "Fine, next time I won't call you. I'll take care of myself."

"Mmmm. I like the thought of you pleasuring yourself. Where are those toys of yours, anyway?"

"Why?" she asked suspiciously. After six months of sleeping together sans electronic devices, now he suddenly wondered where they were. "Did your little sleazy barfly nurse have toys?"

"Meg…" His voice held a warning while his hand stopped its blissful ministrations and began to pull away.

She grabbed his wrist to keep him there. "Wait. I'm sorry."

"I'll consider letting it slide this time if you break out your vibrator." He waggled his eyebrows playfully. He sat up and with both hands pulled off the pajama bottoms she'd put back on after their earlier fight.

She couldn't figure out why he would be interested in her vibrator, but at the moment, in spite of her mad, she was too horny to care so she rolled toward the bedside table, slid open the drawer and pulled out the requested item. Her favorite big girl toy of them all, the pink Rabbit vibrator, which she had nicknamed Bunny. "As seen on Sex and the City," the package had read. She figured if it was good enough for those girls, it was good enough for her, and she hadn't been disappointed. In the pleasure department, to date it had proved to be the best thing without a pulse a girl could get between her thighs.

Jeff smiled at the sight and reached for the nightstand to grab the condom again. Her anger returned at the visual reminder of what he'd done last Friday night.

Turning back to her, he took one look at her face and demanded, "Stop! I'm sorry I did it and I will get tested again as soon as possible. But for now, I'm not going to risk your health so we're stuck using a condom for a while. Okay?"

Sometimes it was a curse he knew her so well. Even if she wanted to hide what she was feeling, she couldn't. He could read it all over her face. She'd learned never to play poker against him.

"Did you at least use a condom with the nurse?" The last word came out sounding like a curse.

"Yes."

"Do you carry them around with you at all times in case you get lucky?" That came out sounding pretty nasty also, but the thought he might be out looking for sex with others made her sick.

He sighed deeply. "No, I don't. She had them at her place."

"Figures," Meg grumbled.

He let out a short laugh. She hated being laughed at when she was mad. It made her even angrier. "What do you have against nurses, anyway?"

"Nothing." At least, she didn't used to. Apparently, it was just this one particular nurse…and the fact she'd fucked Jeff in particular.

Jeff's one hand continued to mindlessly run up and down her bare leg while they spoke, causing her skin to prickle with goose bumps. Finally Meg's need and curiosity won out over her displeasure. "Why did you want Bunny out?"

He laughed again. "Bunny? You named it?"

She lowered her eyes, embarrassed. "Yes. And stop laughing at me."

"I think it's cute." Jeff squeezed her leg and she looked up in time to see his warm smile.

"Why did you want him?" she repeated.

He grinned wider. "You'll see. Trust me."

Meg frowned again. Good old predictable Jeff was proving himself to be not so predictable any longer. She wasn't sure she liked this new turn of events at all.

He didn't give her time to consider it further as he leaned in closer. "Now come here and be quiet so I can kiss you."

She scowled until the pressure of his mouth forced hers into a different position entirely. As he kissed her deeply, his tongue sliding between her lips and stroking in and out slowly against hers, simulating what he would soon do to her body, she let her anger go. It was hard to stay mad at Jeff when he kissed her like that. Remembering their first kiss ever, that night months ago, she realized Jeff's kisses had been her downfall to begin with.

Strong, slightly rough hands roamed up, pushing her top with them. He had to break the kiss to pull the shirt off over her head. He looked admiringly at her nakedness, nipples puckering in the chill air, but he soon bent to warm her with his mouth.

He took his time, nibbling on each breast, one by one, until her eyes closed with satisfaction. His fingers replaced his mouth, tugging gently on each nipple as he kissed a trail up her neck and ran his tongue along the whorls of her ear, sending a shiver through her.

His big hands were good at finding the spots that drove her crazy, and they did so now, sliding down her body to slip two long fingers deep inside her, stroking her G-spot just right. She angled her pelvis up off the bed as the familiar pressure began to build within her.

The only thought in Meg's head was how badly she wanted to come, until he whispered, "I want to fuck you in the ass while Bunny is in your pussy."

To be continued…

 
It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade…and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006. Today, she is a multi-nominated, award-winning author of a dozen published romances. Her military erotic romance novel A Few Good Men was recently awarded the 2007 Reviewers Choice Award by Ecataromance.

On a personal note, Cat has horses, far too many cats, a dog, assorted fish and fowl, and one husband, and is not sure which of those gives her the most grief. Needless to say, she is very busy on her 18th century little farm in New York State. She plays the harp professionally and stresses this does not mean she plays well, only that she is paid for it. A past tour guide, bartender, marketing manager, and Junior League president, Cat's life is quite the dichotomy and on any given day she is equally as likely to be in formal eveningwear as in mucking clothes covered in manure. She wore the letters off the keys of her computer in less than a year and is found most often still in pajamas working on her laptop. Cat looks forward to hearing from you all.

Backlist:
Trilogy No. 102: Opposites Attract, Linden Bay Romance
Trilogy No. 103: Red Hot & Blue, Linden Bay Romance
Trilogy No. 105: Smalltown, USA, Linden Bay Romance
Trilogy No. 106: Nice & Naughty, Linden Bay Romance
Trilogy No. 107: True Blue, Linden Bay Romance
Trilogy No. 108: Just Desserts, Linden Bay Romance
A Few Good Men, Linden Bay Romance
Witches Night Anthology, Linden Bay Romance
Heroes Unwrapped Anthology, Linden Bay Romance
He Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Phaze
Fantasies IV Anthology, Phaze

Coming Soon:
Model Soldier, Linden Bay Romance

Links:
Website
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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