Summer Bash - Day 8!

I am so excited to have her today. For day 8 of my Summer Bash, please help me welcome the lovely Delilah K. Stephens!


1: When did you first begin writing?

I first started in 2nd grade writing on the back of my test papers. It got me into a lot of trouble, since apparently I had developed my own language and no one knew what I was writing.

2: Where do you get your inspiration for writing from?

A song, a half heard comment, a picture or simply the question “What if...?” Sometimes it comes in dreams a scene that I have to write why it happened.

3: Do you have any rituals that help you get in the mood to sit down and write?

I don’t really have any rituals to get in the mood to write. While writing I usually have instrumental music playing. I’ll make a playlist with music that fits the mood of what I’m writing, put it on repeat and go.

4: Are you a plotter or a pantser when you write? Why does that work for you?

I’m a complete pantser! I actually usually start a book with the opening and ending in mind and maybe a couple scenes in mind. But, I enjoy the journey and while it can be infuriating – I enjoy when the characters take me a direction I hadn’t planned or reveal something I didn’t know.

5: Who are some of your favorite authors to read when you are not writing?

I have a lot of favorite authors I read. Alexis Morgan, Bonnie Edwards, Jeaniene Frost, Antonia Tiranth, Cathy Clamp, Lynsay Sands, Kerrelyn Sparks, Sandra Hill, Larissa Ione, Angela Knight, Lora Leigh… I could go on and on!

6: Are you currently reading anything right now?

I’m currently rereading Alexis Morgan’s Paladin series and I’m up to book 3 in the series – In Darkness Reborn – which happens to be my favorite in the series.

7: How do you deal with writer’s block?

I’ve found that writer’s block is really something wrong in the story that I can’t see or that I’m forcing the story. I really have to let the story flow through me.

8: What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?

I do cover art for several publishers but MuseitUp Publishing keeps me the busiest. They have some create authors and it’s fun to create visuals for the books.

9: If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?

Oh that’s a toughie! But I’m going to say – New York City. I’m a Broadway Musical fanatic! I’d love to spend a couple weeks going to all the shows up there!

10: What advice do you have for new authors?

Find a writing buddy! Crit groups are great, but sometimes too many opinions can leave you doubting the story. But a single person that you trust to see your work, give you honest feedback, that knows your style enough to nudge you when you don’t know what’s next is the best tool in a writer’s toolkit!

11: Is there anything you’d like people to know about you?

As a writer I bring every experience I’ve had into my writing. Some of the experiences I’ve had; getting bitten by a tiger, living over a funeral home, fishing in the gulf or on a lake, being a military wife. But the main experience I bring to every book is the wonder of my marriage to my husband, who after 22 years of marriage is still my best friend and surprises me sometimes with how well he knows me.

12: Tell us a bit about your book. What’s it about?

My newest release is “The Envoy” available through Lyrical Press and my foray into the vampire genre. This is the first book I wrote with an eye towards publication. However life conspired to keep me from finishing it. It was a three year journey from typing Chapter 1 to typing The End.

Blurb:

Danger and passion stalk the cool southern nights.

When Diana Matthews waited on Francisco Bolle at Electronic Avenue, she never imagined the dangerous world of vampires was more than mere myth. Nor did she imagine one would come to her rescue when three thugs confronted her after work. Fascinated with his old world charm, Diana can't resist being drawn to Francisco even though his true nature is as frightening as it is fascinating.

Francisco Bolle is intrigued by the feisty, petite sales clerk. But when an old enemy returns to challenge the laws of Vampire society, danger and death might come between them. Diana had just started to accept what he is when the worst side of himself surfaces.

Can Francisco and Diana survive the danger? More importantly, can they survive their love?

Content warning - Sexual situations and violence.


Excerpt:

“Would you care to take an after dinner stroll?” Francisco’s voice jolted her out of her thoughts. “Perhaps to the pier by the lake?”
She was about to say no but looked out toward the lake. The pier was draped in Christmas lights with the path illuminated by more luminaries. The picture it created was too inviting. She agreed there was no reason not to appreciate the full evening. They walked back down the lit path past the truck. After they crossed the street, a white caterers van pulled past, turning the corner. The distant murmur of the catering crew’s voices melded with the honks of the geese settling in for the night and the crickets chirping to create an almost musical accompaniment for their stroll.
The pier didn’t jut out into the lake, instead it paralleled the shore. As they climbed the few stairs Diana saw a small table with two champagne flutes and a chilled bottle waiting. Francisco moved ahead of her and carefully removed the cork. He lifted one of the glasses and held it toward her questioningly. She nodded.
“Thanks.” She took the glass from him and turned to the shore, taking a sip.
Other than the reluctance of her companion to talk, the evening had been wonderful. She smiled into the darkness as he stepped closer to her side, joining her at the railing.
“Was the evening acceptable?” His voice was a soft purr that surrounded and caressed her.
Not trusting her voice, Diana nodded. Her pulse raced and an electric tingle ran up her thighs to meet under her breast. The tingle turned into a burning fire racing through her as his pinky stroked her wrist. Never would she have imagined such an innocent caress could kindle such a reaction.
“I am pleased that my efforts were to your liking.”
She looked over her shoulder to see him facing her, his champagne glass sat on the rail of the pier. As his right hand traveled up her arm, she fought to keep a longing sigh from escaping her lips. Diana turned to him as his hand came up to cup her cheek. Desire changed his eyes to a stormy blue, defeating her will to resist, and she released a shuddering breath. His eyes never left hers, searching for any sign of refusal of his actions. Resistance was impossible for her. She stepped toward him. She had to taste him.
His mouth was cool from the champagne they had sipped and it flavored his kiss as his lips slid over hers in a caress as soft as rose petals yet as forceful as a tornado. She wrapped her arms around his waist and then slid her hands up his muscular back, pulling him closer. She molded her body to his, desperate for more contact. The hand that had cupped her cheek slid through her hair to grasp the back of her head, angling it for the domination of his mouth. Diana whimpered as her knees grew weak. If not for the arm locked around her waist she knew she would have slid to the deck. Too soon, he lifted his head, ending the kiss. It took several blinks for her eyes to focus on him. Blue lights flashed once from the direction of the bridge that wasn’t visible in the growing darkness. Francisco released his hold and stepped back.

Thank you so much for being here Delilah. This has been a blast. Delilah is also the head of the cover art department for Muse It Up and Muse It Hot Publishing. She's very talented.