IT'S HOT AND SEXY WITH SIDNEY AYERS

My guest is the sassy creator of laughter and humorous paranormal romance, Sidney Ayers. I have to admit her characters crack me up. Not just because they invoked laughter but because many of them aren’t what they seem, or they border the bizarre even in the normal world. One thing I can tell you; they’re not boring. Sydney also writes it hot and this covers both her love stories and the subject of them—Demons Unleashed.

• Did you try other genres before you chose this one?

I’ve always been a history buff, so I started out writing historicals. Since I’ve always held a fascination with the society and mores during the early 1800’s, my first novel was a regency historical romance. I will eventually delve back into that period. I’ve even discovered how to include a sci-fi/fantasy element, so I’m very excited to delve back into the history (even if it’ll be slightly altered).

• Who was most/least supportive of your writing career?

I’ve been lucky that most my friends and family have been extremely supportive of my career. It’s something I’ve dreamt of for a long time and they’re all very excited for me.

• What’s the hardest thing you've had to face as a writer? How did you overcome it?

Rejection, I guess. It’s taken me a long time to realize not everyone is going to like what I write. I try to focus on the positive feedback and reviews and brush away the negative ones.

• What was the single best or luckiest thing that got you pubbed?

A good strong query with a solid hook helps a lot. A good story will seal the deal.

• What does your writing day look like?

My writing days are scattered as hell. I have no set schedule. It’s crazy.

• Describe your writing space. Or, describe your DREAM writing space.

My current office space consists of a faux suede recliner and a MyPlace laptop workstation (Best Christmas gift-EVER). Surprisingly, even with the TV right across from me, I’ve managed to finish 4 books with this setup.  My dream writing space would be a soundproofed, locked office. That way, there are absolutely no distractions.

• How do you refresh and recharge yourself so you can continue writing?

I watch TV, read a book, and of course, take a relaxing bath. A little vino doesn’t hurt every now and again, either.

• How has your own romance colored how you write romance in your stories?

I hate to admit this, but I’m single right now, so there’s no current romance to color my stories. Not many of my relationships have been that romance novel worthy, but the emotions at the time were true, so I like to think it helps me give my characters believable emotions.

DEMONS Like It HOT--Available now in stores and online.

 If you can’t stand the heat, get out of Hell’s Kitchen! 

A RECIPE FOR DISASTER...

Matthias Ambrose is a demon mercenary who never took sides, until his attraction to the spunky caterer he was hired to kidnap leads him to almost botch a job for the first time in eight hundred years. Now he must protect her from his former clients, but even an ice—cold demon like Matthias struggles to resist her fiery charms.

OR THE PERFECT INGREDIENTS FOR PASSION...

Completely engrossed with planning menus and prepping recipes for her shot at cooking show fame, star caterer Serah SanGermano refuses to believe she's on a fast track to Hades. But how is she supposed to stick to the kitchen if she can't stand the heat of her gorgeous demonic bodyguard? As a wicked plot to destroy humanity unfolds and all hell breaks loose in Serah's kitchen, she and Matthias find themselves knee—deep in demons and up to their eyeballs in love...excerpt

Buy:  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indigo

Sidney Ayers loves infusing her stories with humor. What would the world be without a little bit of laughter? She writes a plethora of genres, ranging from historical, to paranormal, to contemporary.

A native of Michigan, Sidney still lives in the same town she grew up in. No matter how hard she tries, she just can't seem to get away. Michigan is in her blood. Scary thought, huh?

Find Sidney: Facebook, Twitter, Website

MONDAY MUSINGS: Winter Blahs. Bring On The Color

It’s not even the heart of winter and already I’m craving color and brightness. It’s not that the winter trees aren’t lovely skeletons, in a purely ascetic way, they are. I have colorful birds like Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Red headed Woodpeckers, flittering among all the neutral colored birds—which sadly outnumber the brilliant one. There are the evergreens; red berries on various bushes and shrubs, snow and heavy frost can be quite lovely, too, especially when the sun decides to shine. But…we went from the lush greens and bright flowers of summer to the brilliant colors of fall to ascetic skeletons set in icy silver and gray, lots of grays.

So, I’m trying to counter blah with bright warm colors. I have fabrics and paint samples to brighten my inside world. First thing is getting my ceilings painted a nice bright white. It adds pizzazz, freshness, and the feeling of light to about any room. Then, since I love the energy of reds (I know, you hadn’t a clue, did you?) I have a plan to paint a focal wall in my living room a cross between barn red and well, red. Not like a strawberry or a tomato. A richer and warmer type of red.  I can cool it down with blues and green accents or even whites, if I need to. Then again, I can add rich ambers, gold, and amethysts to make it pop. All my furniture is in neutral colors and so is the color of my walls. A bright set of pillows here and there, a colorful throws, bouquets of flowers, nick knacks, and pictures can add visual interest. I have lots of colorful throws and pillows now but it doesn’t touch the overall blah.

Great plans, but I need to wait (ugh, I hate waiting when I’m ready to move forward) until, 1. I can get the guy who will paint the ceilings. That’s a project that is difficult for me. But, I’m going to tell you, if he dithers anymore, I’m going to get really creative with broomsticks and paint rollers and lots of plastic to throw on the floors and furniture. 2. Extra dollars for all the paint and stuff needed.

This is what comes of being sick for such a long time. You don’t care when you’re sick what’s going on around you. You’re totally focused on getting better and the rest can wait until then. Getting well? You tend to look at your environment with different eyes that grow very large when focused on surroundings. You also tend to say Holy Shitake mushrooms or the shorter pithier version thereof. A lot.

So, since I can’t tackle the living room just yet, I painted my blog. Hey, it worked for me, or at least, took away the main itch for the immediate moment. I have added pine boughs, poinsettias, lights and glitter to the house, which helps.

Next, the rest of my environment.

How do you handle the Winter Blahs?

 Upcoming events for the blog:

• Sidney Ayers on December 16^th with her latest book in Demons Unleashed, DEMONS LIKE IT HOT. 
• Terry Spear December 19^th with her latest, DREAMING OF THE WOLF 

• I’ll also be having Jessica Bell with her STRING BRIDGE visiting and I’ll give you more info on that visit as soon as we have it set—possibly the 14^th. And I’m hoping to have some of her wonderful music as well. LOVE her music!

Starting on December 20^th I will be running various holiday stories for your enjoyment. These will run through the 31^st. I’ve got some great stories to share. Just sayin’.

Here’s a recipe that will warm the cockles of your heart or anything else that needs warming. J

Glühwein

Ingredients

• 4 quarts dry red wine (zinfandel, merlot, burgundy, etc.)

• 1 pint brandy

• 1 cup sugar

• 6 cinnamon sticks

• 12 cloves, whole

• 1/8 tsp allspice

• 1/8 tsp mace

• 2 oranges, sliced

• 1 lemon, sliced

Directions

1. Pour the wine into a large pot and begin heating over low heat.

1. As it begins to warm, add sugar and spices. Stir until sugar is dissolved.

1. Add the brandy.

1. Heat thoroughly, but do not allow boiling!

1. Add the lemon and orange.

1. Steep for about 1 hour over low heat.

1. You may add more sugar during this time if desired, stirring well so it dissolves.

1. Serve hot and garnish with orange slices. A stick cinnamon could also be used.

Serves 12-15