Hellion: Jillian! It is such an honor to visit you, and I love your office. [glancing around at the various interesting instruments littering every available workspace, along with parts that don’t seem connected to anything, and something that looks alarmingly like a rocket] I’m surprised you let me come into your super-secret-agent workspace. JACK! Put that down! What did I tell you about touching?

Unknown to the publicat large, the dry cell battery is created in a secret laboratory funded by theWar Office. This is the first battery suitable for portable electrical devices,as does not spill or break easily and works in any orientation. A number of these prototypetorchlight devices are tested by Scotland Yard, whose Special Branch detectivesrespond favorably to them.

Known affectionatelyas "Roger" by Special Branch Yard men, the skeleton key is capable ofopening any lock regardless of make or type. This key has an interestingrole to play in the upcoming, A Private Duel with Agent Gunn.

The Webley Mk I .455Revolver. Standard issue small-arm for Special Branch Yard men.

There were a few scenes that got deleted from the final cut of Love is a Battlefield, many of which were near and dear to my heart. I imagine this is a common occurrence for authors, so I suppose I’ll have to suck it up and get used to it.

 

It’s hard, though. Mostly because one scene in particular—the DEAD EARWIG scene—is something that needs to be said. Equal parts cautionary tale and personal horror story, this is one narrative I simply can’t let die.

 

Unlike the earwig.

 

It needed to die.

 

Consider, if you will, a city in which creepy bugs aren’t a real problem. The weather here in the Inland Northwest is such that scorpions, giant-ass beetles, those huge, hairy Brazilian spiders, and other horrors of the insect world can’t survive the winters. So instead, we have a handful of mostly harmless spiders, seasonal ticks and bees, and….EARWIGS.

 

They love it here. They love to climb in all the dank, warm places that exist in the summer, continuing on in the winter pretty much underneath my house and nowhere else. They ravage my corn crops (okay, I had a total of four stalks and they grew about two feet, but still), and sneak up the drains so that you can’t take a bath without one of those suckers joining you for a swim.

 

In short, they’re everywhere.

 

In said deleted scene, my heroine awoke from a camping excursion only to stumble to the bathroom. Inside, she set about to do her normal business, as heroines so rarely do. But as she pulled down her underwear, she noticed something strange inside (the underwear, not her).

 

IT WAS AN EARWIG. Inside her underwear. Previously nestled right against her womanly core, soon to be killed and flung across the bathroom with all manner of screams and crazy dancing.

 

That woman, dear reader, was once me.

 

There are several explanations for this episode, none of which have done much in the way of providing long-term comfort.

 

a)      My best friend suggests that the earwig was dead and inside the underwear BEFORE I put them on. Perhaps that wily little guy was inside my clothes drawer, snuggled up inside my favorite panties, and died of natural causes. And then I somehow put them on without noticing.

 

b)      One alternate option is that throughout the course of my day, the earwig fell down my shirt or pants, made its way to my underwear, and then died in situ. I don’t want to know how long it might have been alive until that happened.

 

c)      There is also a chance that the earwig fell from above while I was in the bathroom, landed in said underwear, and then died as I tossed it across the room. I know this scenario isn’t very realistic, people, but it’s how I sleep at night.

 

Even though the scene didn’t make it into the book, I feel it would be a crime to let this important public service announcement go unheard. Like my heroine, I find strength in forcing myself to move outside my comfort zone and in fighting for what’s right.

 

Learn from me, world. Always check your underwear before you put it on. And if you do find an earwig in there, know that you are not alone and that I fully sanction its execution.

 

* * *

 

About Love is a Battlefield

 

It takes a real man to wear a kilt. And a real woman to charm him out of it.

It might be modern times, but Kate Simmons isn’t willing to live a life without at least the illusion of the perfect English romance. A proud member of the Jane Austen Regency Re-Enactment Society, Kate fulfills her passion for courtliness and high-waisted gowns in the company of a few women who share her love of all things heaving.

Then she encounters Julian Wallace, a professional Highland Games athlete who could have stepped right off the covers of her favorite novels. He’s everything brooding, masculine, and, well, heaving. The perfect example of a man who knows just how to wear his high sense of honor—and his kilt.

Confronted with a beautiful woman with a tongue as sharp as his sgian dubh, Julian and his band of merry men aren’t about to simply step aside and let Kate and her gaggle of tea-sippers use his land for their annual convention. Never mind that “his land” is a state park—Julian was here first, and he never backs down from a challenge.

Unless that challenge is a woman unafraid to fight for what she wants...and whose wants are suddenly the only thing he can think about.

Warning: The historical re-enactments in this story contain very little actual history. Battle chess and ninja stars may apply.

About Tamara Morgan

 

Tamara Morgan is a romance writer and unabashed lover of historical reenactments—the more elaborate and geeky the costume requirements, the better. In her quest for modern-day history and intrigue, she has taken fencing classes, forced her child into Highland dancing, and, of course, journeyed annually to the local Renaissance Fair. These feats are matched by a universal love of men in tights, of both the superhero and codpiece variety.

 

You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

 

I realize that title makes no sense, but it sounds fun. Or painful. One or the other. And saying I Feng'd the Shui sounds absolutely wrong.

But I digress.

Thankfully, other than stirring up dust that tweaked my sinuses, it was virtually painless. My room is mostly decluttered (have more work to do today), my bed is facing south, and my desk is facing my bedroom door. No one will be sneaking up on me now. The added bonus is that now I'm right next to the storyboard which was previously behind me and to the left. I need to see my storyboard from the computer in order to work on revisions.

So now the big question is, have I worked on revisions? *shuffles to change the subject* Did anyone watch football this weekend? How 'bout those Giants!

Seriously, this is all part of the process. The process of getting the process going again. In order to proceed. (Am I talking in circles?)

What I want to know today is what is everyone reading? We've talked about Goals and resolutions that come with the new year, but there are also books! Our own 2^nd Chance will have the third in her Kraken's Caribbean Series, The Pirate Circus, out in the next month or so. I know Assassin is also working on getting another book on the virtual shelves. Something different but you all are going to love it!

Who else? I see so many book release celebrations on Twitter I'm starting to wonder if they don't come out hourly now. Tell us what you're dying to get your hands on. It's book pushing day on The Revenge.

And Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!!!

Hi, Terri O. and the rest of the Revengers!  Thanks for hosting me today. 

It's a delight to be here because I wanted to go postal on pirates.  And I've been thinking a lot about pirates lately, and uh, not the Jack Sparrow kind (although I do love Jack), but the tall, dark, and dangerous ones.  The pirates of the romance genre. 

I don't know why pirates are a source of romantic fascination and fantasy, but from the early Vikings to the Caribbean pirates, from the Japanese pirate raids to the Barbary coast raids off North Africa, we've been fascinated by the daring deeds of these ferocious men. 

Names like Bluebeard and Captain Kidd, Jack Calico and Jean Lafitte, fill our cultural imaginations with mystique and mystery. 

But why? 

Likely these men, criminals and outcasts, were sour, smelly and sullen.  With broken teeth and without education.  With craftiness and wiles, but no finesse.

Still, there's something wickedly delicious about them – in their sanitized versions, of course.  We've whitewashed their stories because ... well, why else would they be interesting, appealing and downright fun?

While editing my latest book ("The Traitor," the final book in the Bigler County Romantic Thrillers), I revisited this description of my hero Rafe:

All the while, she'd escaped in the swirling emeralds of his eyes slashed through with tiny black flecks like angry cuts. Sharp and probing, the eyes were a strange contrast to his coppery skin and short thick lashes. A wide scar bisected his left eyebrow and gave him the roguish look of a pirate. A rush of pheromones flooded her as his gaze wandered to her mouth and lingered there, then dipped to the cleavage that spilled from the juncture of her breasts.

Although "The Traitor" is a contemporary story, I subconsciously wrote that passage likening Rafe to a romance pirate.  Metaphorically, that is.  In the "real life" of the story, Rafe Hashemi is a DEA agent trying to bring down a drug cartel operating out of northern California. 

He's in conflict with the heroine, Isabella Torres, who wants to prosecute the same villain, Diego Vargas, for human trafficking.  You can see this Vargas fellow is a nasty piece of work, intentionally irredeemable. 

However, his bodyguard and attorney of record – Gabriel Santos – is a much more complex character.  Take a look at this excerpt:

Gabriel Santos was not a man to cross.

His name among the Mexicans was El Diablo and although his given name reminded José of a holy angel, the street runners had forewarned him. Indeed, the persistent rumors of the man's ferocity and the myth that he had made a pact with Satan seemed true. 

You see, I can get behind a man who may have made a pact with the devil (pirates, Vikings, and privateers).  There's a dark appeal to such a character even if he is one of the villains in the story.  The implication is that he's wicked and dangerous because life's circumstances have given him no choice.  We're almost ready to forgive this person, hero or villain.

The pirate "hero" or "villain" reminds us of the savage part of man, the part that lies beneath the surface, ready to erupt in passion or anger or punishment.  We don't know which will spew out, but it's sure to be exciting.

Here's another excerpt of hero Rafe:

She opened her mouth to form a half-hearted protest.

"But," he interrupted with a steely gaze, pointing a finger at her like a pistol, "you do have to be honest with me. I won't put up with any bullshit tricks if I'm going to let you work this case with me."

She began sputtering. "Wh – what, you're letting me work the case? Diego Vargas has committed crimes in Bigler County. He's been under our scrutiny there, in my county, for over a year. You have no more right than I to nab him for the depraved and accumulated atrocities – "

"Shut up, Torres," he said pleasantly, which effectively took the wind out of her sails.

She stared at him with her mouth a round oh of surprise while their server returned and Rafe gave the woman both their orders.

"The federal government has jurisdiction over anything interstate," he reminded her after the server left. "You know that and I know that. Vargas' atrocities include intra-state and international drug trafficking which comes under federal drug enforcement."

He continued in a neutral, even-tenored voice as if his logic were reasonable and indisputable. "Now, in exchange for your personal files, I'll continue to allow you to work the case rather than call your boss and have you jerked off it and sent back to Hicksville.

Bella felt the hot sting of outrage creep up her neck to stain her cheeks. Not only had he steamrolled her case, but he had the affront to order her lunch for her! She blinked furiously while trying to formulate a sharp enough response for both insults.

Rafe reached for a chip and dipped it in the thick salsa. "Actually, it's a pretty good deal. You ought to take it."

And another description of Santos:

With his long black hair tied at the neck, his lean hard form, and his dark scowl, Santos looked like un angel caído, a fallen angel.

But José knew the man was no angel.

I hope my readers will find Santos as compelling as Rafe because it's the complex characters that stay with us long after we've put the book aside.  As a reader I'm attracted as much to the darkness as to the light, for in these gray shades lie the interesting and complicated facets of a person.

What about you?  Do you like your heroes squeaky clean or a little on the wild side, perhaps even a little damaged?  Want your villains to be clearly wicked or do you like the ones who are morally complex, ones you can understand, maybe even sympathize with?

I'm giving away a free download of "The Traitor" to one lucky commenter, so be sure to leave a comment.

Bo'sun here and I am excited to welcome back one of our favorite Pirate Pals who just happens to be a multi-published, award winning author. JK Coi is celebrating the release or her latest Steampunk novella and gracious enough to hold the celebration aboard The Revenge decks. Here's the blurb for Far From Broken… 

Soldier. Spymaster. Husband.

Colonel Jasper Carlisle was defined by his work until he met his wife. When the prima ballerina swept into his life with her affection, bright laughter and graceful movements, he knew that she was the reason for his existence, and that their love would be forever.

But their world is shattered when Callie is kidnapped and brutally tortured by the foes Jasper has been hunting. Mechanical parts have replaced her legs, her hand, her eye...and possibly her heart. Though she survived, her anger at Jasper consumes her, while Jasper's guilt drives him from the woman he loves. He longs for the chance to show her their love can withstand anything...including her new clockwork parts.

As the holiday season approaches, Jasper realizes he must fight not just for his wife's love and forgiveness...but also her life, as his enemy once again attempts to tear them apart.

 

Bo'sun: Welcome back to the ship!

JK: Thanks, Terri! It’s always a treat to come on board!  

Bo'sun: You have a novella available today in the Carina anthology A Clockwork Christmas, and as usual with your stories, Far From Broken sounds intricate, intense, and incredibly high concept. Tell us about this story. 

JK: This is the story of a man and woman—a married couple—who have to find a way to overcome the most horrible event of their lives and find out whether they can come out of it together. It’s not an uncommon theme—forgiveness. Even though it might be told in a less common way, since the story takes place in a Steampunk inspired Victorian England.  

Bo'sun: No one can ever accuse you of making this easy on yourself. I can't remember the last time I heard a concept this unique. What is it about Steampunk that draws you to write it? 

JK: I like the possibilities of Steampunk. I like that there are no limits, and that it’s about more than just window dressing for the characters. Since my first foray into writing it I’ve done a lot more research in the Steampunk movement (yes, it’s a movement), which is fascinating. I still don’t think I’ve mastered the true feel of what Steampunk is supposed to be, but I’m going to keep writing until I do!  

Bo'sun: Did this story come first or did you find out about the anthology opportunity and then sit down to create something from scratch? 

JK: I wrote the story specifically for the anthology, and I’m glad I did. The three other authors included in the anthology are so wonderful, I’m truly blessed for the chance to be part of this group and we’ve already formed a tight bond. The others are Stacy Gail (Crime Wave in a Corset), Jenny Schwartz (Wanted: One Scoundrel), and PG Forte (This Winter Heart). 

Bo'sun: Great company! You have a mechanical element in this story. What kind of research did you do in that area? 

JK: I’m lucky that my husband is a scientist and I was able to bounce my ideas off of him to see how believable they would be. I suppose there has to be a level of suspension of disbelief (or else it wouldn’t be Steampunk) but I really hope that no one will be disappointed with the scientific elements in the story.  

Bo'sun: From the blurb of this story, I can't imagine how you kept it novella length. Did you have any trouble keeping it relatively short and were you ever tempted to stretch it to a full length book? 

JK: I could have kept writing about Callie and Jasper forever, but the strength of this book is that it’s nice and tight. In a novella every word counts and I think I made the most of that with this story. 

Now of course, having said that, I realized right away that this couldn’t be the end for my characters, and I’ve just finished their sequel, which I’m calling Broken Promises. Callie and Jasper are sent on a mission by the War Office to find a rogue agent, but along the way they discover a horrible truth that could tear their lives apart again. I sent it off to my editor this week and I’m really hoping that she’ll love it as much as I do.  

Bo'sun: You included Steampunk elements in your novella Iron Seduction (which is awesome!) Do you see more Steampunk in your future? 

JK: I do! As I mentioned, I’ve written a sequel to Far From Broken, and I’m hoping to continue this series for a couple more books. I also have a few other ideas that I’ll try to flesh out when the writing schedule clears up a little bit, but whoooeeee, it’s been busy! 

Bo'sun: Somehow I don't see you slowing down anytime soon. LOL! Now some fun stuff. If you had to have a mechanical body part, what would you want that to be and why? 

JK: I think I’d want those mechanical eyes. “The better to see you with my pretty!” *cackle* I’d peer through everyone’s clothes and giggle when I see grown men wearing spiderman underwear. Wait a minute…that could seriously backfire. There are things I don’t want to see. Hmm, maybe I could have a tommy gun attachment on my mechanical arm. I could rob banks and go all Bonnie and Clyde on my sleepy home town! I’d make the papers and be famous! (and be dead, but maybe then my books would skyrocket in sales *g*.) 

Bo'sun: You're one of the most prolific writers I know so I'm sure you have six or seven stories in the works. What's next from JK COI? 

JK: eek. Prolific? Not sure about that, but I’ll be diving into edits for my YA Fantasy, Greta and the Goblin King soon, and I do have a few things just out in time for the holidays.  

My contemporary erotic romance, BRAZEN GAMES, is available from Ellora’s Cave right now. It’s what I call my “cops and mobsters” story. Jack is the right-hand man to mob boss Sam Moretti. His life is a dangerous place to be, forcing him to always watch his back and never let his guard down. But when it comes to the club’s new dancer, he’s tempted. Very tempted. Trouble is, temptation could very easily expose his secrets and get him—and her—killed. When Moretti confides his suspicions that he has a mole in his operation, he turns to Jack to take care of the problem. For good. Who does Sam suspect? The new dancer…Brazen.  

Also, the AGONY/ECSTASY anthology from Berkley Heat and edited by Jane Litte of Dear Author is available December 6! My story CAGED is a part of it, which is So. Darn. Exciting! It’s a painful love story where, in the dark, nothing and everything has changed. 

To celebrate release day, I’d love to offer a copy of FAR FROM BROKEN to a commenter and I’ll also send out a full set of romance trading cards for all of the novellas in the anthology.  

Thanks for having me back on the ship, pirates! It gives me warm fuzzies that I haven’t been banned yet. 

Hugs and rum!

JK Coi

www.jkcoi.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jkcoi

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JKCoiAuthor

Bo'sun: You heard her, pirates. Get to commenting! What do you enjoy about the Steampunk genre and what would you like to see more of?