Greetings folks!
Welcome to the Backlist Bloghop!
I wanted to talk about the
inspiration behind N’awlins Exotica. What prompted me to write the romantic
collection? Okay well, it was months ago right after NaNoWrimo. I’d just
completed Under the Gun 2 and I was looking to do another m/m short story in
December for an Xmas release. I asked good friend and fellow author, Sara York
who did the cover for Rawiya’s best selling m/f I Like Em Pretty to do an m/m
version as well. When she sent it back to me, she sent me this lovely piece of
art.
Wow,
was I floored! Look at the beautiful image. My main characters Kajika Fortier
and Frankie Choteau came to life just looking at this cover. Then I started
thinking, an illustration that lovely and gorgeous needs more of a story. Some
with conflict, perhaps a murder since Frankie is a homicide detective. No way could
I allow a fab cover like this only go on a short novella.
So
I crafted a basic plot. Kajika’s lover is dead, Frankie comes and
investigates, presents issues because Kajika is a suspect and they want to fall
in love. Simple right? No, not exactly. It took me about 2 months to get first
draft done and when I sent it to my good friend and beta/editor, she tore it
apart as she should’ve. No question it needed work. I didn’t have every fact straight,
key details were missing and I had to overhaul the story. Since Shar was
vacationing at that time, it took us 2 more months just to do edits and get it
back to the editor. When we did, it was in better shape but of course we went
through 3 stages to get all the points correct.
During
this time, the supporting characters began to yell loudly in our ears.
Frankie’s partner on the force, Kenina Porter wanted her own book. Vance
Morain, the other cop wanted a love story with Kenina but then he changed his
mind and picked someone else. Not telling who! *grins* And then, Orrin, Vance’s
partner said, where’s my book? Naomi Beneviere, who is Kajika’s best friend
said the same thing. She wanted her conflict, her happy ending and so the
N’awlins Exotica series was born!
And
because I was working on a story for awesome reader and friend Judie Stewart,
my twin vampires, Ryland and Ryder Durand also got into the act.
From
them, the N’awlins Exotica Paranormal series was born as well. Eventually the
twins will become part of the regular series and since this is a triad effort
between me, Rawiya, and BLMorticia, both my sister muses will be doing books as
well.
Wow.
From one small idea, came a 12 book series. Yes, a 12 book series. It’s a
collection full of sexual tension, mystery, suspense, murder, and all books
push the limits of the erotic. Me being the stuffy muse usually wants to keep
up with the plots with very little sex but for this series, I throw it all in
the mix and we came up with a collection of books we hope everyone will enjoy.
Yes, you’ll have to read them in order to keep up with what’s going on as the
next book, relates to the one prior. All books are chocked full of action and
I’m excited for everyone to read them.
And
to think all this came from one single idea that went from small thought to
successful collection. ILEP and Mon Frere have done tremendously well in their
first months of release. If you haven’t checked them out yet, I hope after
reading this post that we convinced you to do so.
Thanks
for listening. Here is the official blurb, blurbs for both books as well as
links to excerpts.
Overall Series Blurb
The N’awlins Exotica/Paranormal series
The city of New Orleans is rich in tradition, diverse, and known for the inspiration it provides. In the “Big Easy” there lies the hunger for the erotic as well as the unknown. The residents here feel that sexual energy and it reveals itself through their various creative activities.
Join the characters as they take a wild ride on the edge, enjoying their town for all it has to offer. There’s a certain magic in the air, an erotic magic that cannot be ignored.
I Like Em Pretty Book Blurb
New Orleans is supposed to be the big easy. One night changes everything for Frankie Choteau.
New Orleans. A city rich in tradition, diversity, and on the comeback trail from hurricane Katrina. Francois “Frankie” Choteau, a resident of this town, a cop with a hot temper and low tolerance for bs. Kajika Fortier, a transplant from Oklahoma came here looking for a dream and unfortunately it’s turned into a nightmare. On a hot summer night, they meet and cross paths during a very difficult situation. Despite this, the attraction between them is evident and loneliness for both men is a fate worse than death. They’d both like a chance at happiness but will the circumstances and Frankie’s uneasiness prevent their happy ever after?
Amazon Allromance Smashwords (Excerpt on ARe link)
Mon Frere, My True Love N’awlins Exotica Paranormal #1
Blurb: Twin vamps Ryland and Ryder Durand are only different in personality while the rest is exactly the same. Ryland, the author is calm and conservative while Ryder the club owner is wild and lewd. However, the brothers share the same dark desire and haven’t informed one another. Will that bring them closer together or sever their relationship for all eternity?
All Romance Link Amazon Smashwords (Excerpt on Are link)
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