The 'Next Big Thing' blog tour

It would appear my writing "friends" - hmm! - are ganging up on me as I have been tagged by both Téa Cooper AND Zara Stoneley to take part in the 'Next Big Thing' blog tour. The idea is to copy the questions and apply them my own Work in Progress, then pass the baton over to three other authors.

Seeing as 'Allie' only ever gets to play when the heat level is too hot for 'Aurelia', there isn't really a lot happening on the new projects front. Especially with me being tied up with NaNoWriMo this month, as well as organising blog guests. At one point, I did consider writing my current work in progress, Bye Bye, Black Sheep, as Allie but I'm now ninety-percent sure it will be one for Aurelia.

I also have a very vague idea for another short story for a specific anthology being pulled together a group of in-house BP authors, but the story isn't far enough along to be able to offer any information. Instead, I shall talk about the story which is right now going through the acquisition process with Breathless Press...

• What is the title of my current work in progress?

The story is called For One Night Only and it will be featured in 'Serviced Anthology: VOL 1' with nine other stories next Spring.

• Where did the idea come from for the book?

I saw an urgent call-out for submissions by my editor, on hehalf of Breathless Press, requesting shorter stories of heat level 3 or above to feature in their Serviced anthology. Basically, it needed to involve either the military or the likes of police/paramedic/fireman etc in some way shape or form. Although the required heat level was well outside my 'comfort zone', I saw it as a good excuse to challenge myself and see if I could get over my writing hang-ups so I decided to give it a go.

• What genre does your book fall under?

Either spicy contemporary romance or I may even go so far as to describe it as erotic romance.

• What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Umm... this is where I confess I'm not really up on my actors.

I watch very little television - unless it's sports or children's TV - and don't tend to get to the cinema ever since the kids came along. So, I'm sorry, but I haven't got a clue. To be honest, I don't even have a mental picture of the characters in my head either, which is most unlike me.

• What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

Kate Powell broke her own rules and fell for a soldier about to be posted abroad for a year, but then seven months in, a text arrives and she learns Corporal Mark Butler is back in the country for one night only and she isn't about to let the opportunity pass her by...

• Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?

It is in the process of being contracted by Breathless Press.

• How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I'm not even sure I should admit this... I actually knocked it out in just three evenings - pretty much - and thanks to my inner editor, the first draft was also the final draft bar a couple of minor tweaks.

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

Umm... I really do need a special clueless icon for these questions. 

Nothing I've read that I can recall but I guess it can be compared to other male/female contemporary military-themed romances, such as those which will appear in the anthology alongside For One Night Only, as well as anthologies available from other publishers, like Secret Cravings.

• Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Another one I maybe shouldn't admit to! What's with these questions, am I not allowed any secrets?

Okay... For One Night Only is very - and I mean VERY! - loosely based on a personal experience. Many years ago, I was dating a soldier who was posted overseas. One Saturday night, I got a call out of the blue inviting me to join him in London to go to an all-night rave (yes, it really was that long ago). I jumped on the next train and met him at Waterloo Station before making our way to a nightclub called Bagleys, which isn't even there anymore, to dance the night away. But that is where the similarity ends! Oh, except for the killer high heels, but I don't remember being offered any piggy-backs. Hmm...

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

See my last comment! 

With the story being based on a real-life experience, I can now imagine my friends and followers wondering exactly which bits are real, and which are pure fiction.

Oh, and my Editor told me she loves the vibrator scene. (Can I stop blushing yet?)


And there we have it. It's been fun sharing a little insight into my debut story writing as Allie. If all goes to plan, 'Serviced Anthology: VOL 1' should be available from Breathless Press from March 8th 2013. It will feature nine other stories, ranging from historical to present day, written by some incredible authors.

In order to see what some of my writer friends are doing, I’m going to tag Millie Romano, Ali Hunter and Incy Black. Let's see what you've got ;-)

Tagged: The Look Challenge

I have been tagged by Gayl Taylor in the Look Challenge; the brief is to find the LOOKs in your current WIPs and post the paragraphs around the word. Choose your favorite THREE, because everyone has to have at least three, in your WIP to post then share with five author friends.

Pinched from Dianne Hartsock LOL

As I've already completed one version of the Challenge as Aurelia B Rowl, I've delegated the next 2 to Allie ;o) I'm only 700-odd words into my current WIP so will have to duck into the WIP I submitted at the weekend too...

#1 Their Last Goodbye (by Aurelia B Rowl)

Follow link to read Aurelia's Look Challenge

#2 Bye Bye, Black Sheep

Of all the stunts she’d pulled over the years, this one had to be the dumbest.

Euphemia Carrington-Faulkes kept her eyes closed and her head down as she waited inside the plush vault of books, collected over several generations. Being summoned to the library did not bode well. Nor did the nauseated churning sensation in her stomach, threatening to overflow and make a bid for freedom.

Footsteps approached, setting firecrackers off with rapturous vigor inside her brain and her pulse spiked. Was it time to face the music already? No, the footsteps were wrong, too soft… A cool hand pressed against her clammy forehead, bringing blessed relief. “You look positively green, Mia, have you taken anything for the headache?”

She shook her head and regretted it instantly as kettle drums bounced and rolled inside her brain whilst flashes and sparks danced behind her eyelids. At least there was a bathroom just next door if she ended up having to make a run for it.

The hand belonging to the equally soothing voice moved to rest her on the shoulder. “You sit tight, I’ll be right back.”

Mia coughed but it did little to clear the razor blades squatting in her throat. “Thanks, Ginny,” she croaked, peeling her eyelids apart in order to see the housekeeper. The dappled sunlight tiptoeing through the voiles might as well have been a spotlight shining on her face and she quickly shut them again. “You’re a star.”

#3 For One Night Only

An inferno raged between her legs, total sensory overload, if she didn't have him soon she was going to melt. Scratch that. She couldn't wait a minute longer. Casting her gaze around the room, she snatched hold of his hand and tried to drag him off the crowded dance floor. His eyebrows raised in question. "Come with me," she said, dodging between their fellow dancers.

Whether it was the look in her eyes or because her double meaning wasn't lost on him, he took the lead. He cleared a path far more effectively, his stature and body language screaming 'get out of my way' and he looked more than prepared to knock anyone over who happened to get in their way.

He halted at the edge and she pointed to the alcove, it grew more inviting by the second as he went all 'tough guy' on her. He nodded and almost yanked her arm out of its socket in his haste to get there.

Safely enveloped in the darkness, the bass pounded through the soles of her boots and echoed inside her ribs. She lunged and caught his face in her hands, pulling him down to kiss him, her tongue forcing a route past his surprised lips and delving into the wetness of his mouth. "Take me," she breathed. Her hand stole over the carved ridges of his stomach, following the arrow-shaped path down to wear it disappeared into his jeans. "Please…"

His mouth opened and closed and he glanced over his shoulder at the heaving dance floor. "But—"

And I tag...

Shelli Rosewarne, Mina Carter, Avis Exley, Incy Black, and Niecey Roy

Come on then, let's see what you've got LOL...