31 Days of Steamy Mocha: Jeanie and Jayha's Viva la Revolution!

Here we are, the final day of our month long celebration. We figured we'd go out with BANG! And nothing says Ka-POW like Jeanie Johnson and Jayha Leigh.

To send us on our way, they've given us a great big REVOLUTION. Check. It. OUT! These fireworks are going to explode!!

Blurb: Andoni “M.O.C.H.A.” Serranías was the type of man who begged someone to beat the ever-loving shit out of him…or hump his face off. Since the day she met him, Revolution couldn’t figure out which desire called to her more. Of course, she said that while masturbating to both fantasies equally. It wasn’t until later that she decided to have her cake and eat it too: she was going to hump M.O.C.H.A.’s face off and then kill him.

Revolution Buckland had no idea that she was going to be his wife…and have his babies, which is exactly why Andoni didn’t tell her. The voluptuous woman had a mean right cross and penchant for making off with jets, which meant there was a good chance she could kill him and dump his body someplace where it’d never be found. Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to bait her at every turn, but he couldn’t help it, because an angry Revolution was a beautiful sight indeed.

While ducking her barbs and blows, all he could think was, “Vive la Revolution!”

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance

Purchase link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-vivalarevolution-895180-340.html

Thank you to all of our participants, authors, and supports during our anniversary celebration. You truly made it fun and definitely steamy...

Nicole Kurtz

Why I love Steampunk

Valjeanne Jeffers is an editor and author. Below she discusses the definition of steampunk and why you should be reading it. If you want to try a steampunk title, Mocha Memoirs Press recommends, MOSES: THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIET TUBMAN by Balogun.
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(reblogged from The State of Black Science Fiction 2012)
I love fantasy. I know fantasy/SF is pretty popular these days, but I fell in love long before the genre became the “flyest kid at the school.” There’s just something wonderful about escaping into a world (whether through reading or writing) that’s so different from everyday mundane reality― a reality of responsibilities and bills― into a dimension where you still have the same crap to deal with. . . but now you can became a creature with preternatural strength. How cool is that? It gives you a decided edge over everyday reality, or at the very least makes it more interesting.

I wrote my first novel, Immortal, with these thoughts in mind. The beginning of Immortal was the story of a young woman, Karla, living on the planet Tundra. Karla has ordinary, everyday struggles. But she has a little―no a big―edge. Immortal weaves a tale of portals. Time travel. Werewolves. Daemons. By the time Immortal III is thrown into the mix, vampires have joined the plot. Tell me, what’s not to love? Fantasy also lends itself incredibly well to “what if?” scenarios. As in: what if there was no racism? What if there was no poverty? What if folks came together and decided to change the world. . .?

For those of you who haven’t guessed it yet, I also like to mix genres. In fact, that’s the other thing I love so much about fantasy; it blends so easily with other genres, like horror and science fiction. But if fantasy is my first love, I’d have to say steampunk is my second.

From the outrageous clothing. . . bustles, corsets and knickers, to the outrageous machinery. . . airships, steam-trains, muskets. This is a genre I just can’t stay away from. Steampunk is a glorious mixture of other fantasy/SF genres. And the settings and plots reflect this― plots set in the post-civil war. Victorian England. Post-Apocalyptic America. Or a futuristic world, as in my steampunk story: The Switch. Steampunk, like any other fantasy subgenre is also anybody’s game when it comes to “what if?” plots, settings and costumes. Which of course is why I’m so head over heels in love with it.

My Name is Janet Eckford

By: Janet Eckford

I was asked to write on my life as a creator of titillating prose and really had to think about what I wanted to say. I’m sure all you highbrow connoisseurs of the written word are rolling your eyes at what you assume will possibly be a lengthy diatribe on the finer merits of the Romance Genre. Well, this isn’t that because I’m not that person, I write Erotic Romance for God’s sake. I want it fast, fun and good for everybody at the end. Instead what I’m going to do is open up about two of my favorite subjects, sex and death. I could go into a lengthy introduction into what I’m going to discuss and draw out some
witty comparisons of sex and death, but I’m not. I’m all about just getting to the good parts because sometimes in life, foreplay can be a bit overrated.

Confession #1Sex
Okay, I write Erotic Romance so a confession about sex should be a given, right? Well wrong, so get your mind out of the gutter you naughty little minx and pay attention. I may write about sex, I even talk about it quite a bit, in public, often loudly, but when someone asks me how much sex is in one of my stories I freeze. I liken it to when you are discussing sexual partners with someone and they ask, “So how many people have you been with?” I have these conversations fairly regularly and not because I’m cruising for sexual partners, but because I talk about sex quite a bit, in public, often loudly, more often than not in a bar. It’s like an occupational hazard of being me, and each time I struggle with what to say.

Firstly, because I’m not sleeping with the person and a number is only appropriate when cross checking for possible STDs. Secondly, there really is no right answer to this. “Shit, well…um quite a bit,” or “Shit, well…um not that many,” either way you’re screwed (yeah I’m going to use cheap attempts at double entendre through this whole thing, remember, I write Erotic Romance) because this is your perception of the event. In the end I always give a cheeky smile and just say enough.

What I’ve found when conversing with fans (yeah that’s right, I got some) is enough just doesn’t cut it and I’ve got all this performance anxiety when I write now. Do I need another penetration scene because having the hero go down on the heroine may not just cut it? Damn, what is another way I can describe someone getting fingered because I did that twenty pages back and I don’t want it to seem like I’m getting lazy. I get so wound up that I sometimes think I should just write “sweet” romance where the fade to black is enough for most. Yet, as with most obstacles I face in life I gird my loins and get right
back into the thick of things (okay I guess that was a pretty over the top metaphor, even for me). Sex is sex and at some point I’m going to give just enough for the right person and those that feel that I’ve got too much or too little, well, they can get it elsewhere.

Confession #2Death

I really like killing people. Not literally of course because that would be crazy…snort…and I have this lovely little master’s degree that has taught me all about crazy. Granted when I was a little girl I would lure Black Widow spiders out of their hiding place in my parents garage, drop them in old motor oil and set them on fire, which totally sounds like future serial killer stuff, but what kept me firmly on the other side of not crazy was puppies and kittens. Not dissecting and burying them in my parents backyard, because that would be crazy, no, their fuzzy little bellies and cute little baby yawns…gah…when they try not to fall asleep and do anyway, so cute, just so freaking cute. Setting spiders on fire, plus loving puppies and kittens, equals possibly demented but definitely not crazy. But I digress.

Back to the topic at hand, killing people. Killing people is hard to work into an Erotic Romance though, because people really want hot sex, minimal death and happy endings, but I really think I could make it good for them. Isn’t there something sexy about the macabre? There is the titillation (snort) that comes with coasting along the very edge of danger and wondering if you will pull yourself back in time.

Now imagine if that edge is pumping a six gage full of lead into a particularly nasty villain and having celebratory sex in their racy sports car you and the (insert hero/heroine of choice) confiscated as you fled the scene of the crime. There would be black leather and…oh yeah a sword. Someone has to have a sword and…um…did I say black leather already? Anyhoo, take my word for it; killing people can be really sexy and if you give me a chance I know you’ll like it.

If you are at all intrigued by my ramblings and what to see what proper editing and someone to tell me, “Um, I think that is too much” looks like, check out my work at Mocha Memoirs Press. There is definately sex and though I haven’t killed anyone yet, just give me time…in a literary way because putting in writing an attempt to harm someone in real life would be crazy and…snort…I’m so not crazy.

What is Steampunk?

Valjeanne Jeffers is an editor and author. Below she discusses the definition of steampunk and why you should be reading it. If you want to try a steampunk title, Mocha Memoirs Press recommends, MOSES: THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIET TUBMAN by Balogun.
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What is Steampunk?

This is the definition of Steampunk, as defined by wikipedia: “Steampunk is a genre which came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternate history such as Victorian era Britain or “Wild West”-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology, or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art…”
So that’s the textbook definition of steampunk; sort of. It didn’t just come into being—it’s been around for a while. Think Adam Ant. Sherlock Holmes. And the movie Time After Time (based on H.G. Well’s The Time Machine).

But for some reason it’s wildly popular today, in fiction and in film. Why? I have my theories. One of which is that when something’s hot, opportunists tend to jump on board and squeeze that something like a lemon. But a less cynical reason (after all that’s not why I love the genre, or my fellow BSFS writers) is that steampunk is an island of fantasy— of escape— within our technological, very stressful 21th century. Just like every other type of speculative fiction. And a way of making one’s own personal statement.

Someone on a steampunk blog, described it as “poorly defined.” Really? Seriously? How about open to experimentation and imagination. Just like every other SF sub-genre. None of them is rigid. None are set in stone.

When it comes to steampunk, just like horror, SF, fantasy… there’s no wrong way to do it. The writer just needs to make sure he or she includes steampunk elements, make your rules, and write a story that will knock the reader out of their socks. I’d also humbly suggest asking yourself what does steampunk mean to you?
For me it symbolizes freedom. Groovy, funky freedom. Freedom from repression and/or an attempt to free oneself.

I’ll post a couple of excerpts and I’ll invite everyone to do the same. Along with a simple answer to this question: what does steampunk mean to you?

Immortal IV: Collision of Worlds“You called me ‘Karla.’ Why? That’s not my name. I’m Sonya. Where did you come from?”
His eyes searched her face. “I don’t know.”

Karla… The name was like a caress. It reminded him of a song—the words forgotten, but the melody etched upon his heart.

Joseph tore his eyes away from her and scanned the bedroom. To his right was a high bed with a canopy. A wardrobe sat beside it. Across from him, stood a vanity table and mirror. Filigreed lamps were arranged here and there about the room.

The furniture spoke to him of antiquity—of an older, bygone age. Yet above the vanity hung a triangular clock, full of visible cogs and dials and encased in metal. It was ticking loudly.

The Copper man looked behind him, at the tall mirror encased in a delicately carved frame.
“I think…I think I came from inside your mirror.”

Her eyes shot to the glass, and a curious mixture of fear and longing played over her face.

“From my mirror?” He nodded. “Ho-how did you do that?”

How indeed? “I’m not sure.”

The Switch II: ClockworkGoing below ground was more than leaving the upper city. It was like entering another world. Skylights were carved into the metal, for natural light, to keep under city dwellers from going blind.

Yet it was always gloomy, and the steam used to power their machinery created a perpetual fog. All refuse was recycled through pipes attached to brick walls along the alleyways that carried the waste farther below. The smell clung to the under dwellers skin and clothing.

Yet for all this, the underground had it charms. Cobblestone lanes adorned by streetlights ran the length of the under city. Wooden shops and flats overlaid with brass lined the avenues. In the distance, a clock tower chimed.
The people were known for their outrageous gear. As part of their rebellion, they refused to dress like those who oppressed them.

As the fugitives reached the street, a steam-powered auto puttered along the stones, its motor clearly visible in front. On the left a couple strolled past, the man dressed in knickers and stockings; the woman in a form-fitting dress with a bustle and pill box hat.

To their right, an old man carrying a walking stick stood before a haberdashery. He had a salt-and-pepper, handlebar mustache; and wore a red jacket with tails, and pants with suspenders.

Behind them came the running steps of the constables.

The old man stepped in front of the fugitives, as if to block their path, and tapped the stones with his stick.
The stones slid back, revealing a steam-powered elevator; it rose to the street…

Copyright Valjeanne Jeffers 2012 all rights reserved.

What Does Intimacy Mean to You?

Mocha Memoirs Press Author,  Shiree McCarver, is a bestselling author of interracial erotic romance. Surfice to say she knows a thing or two about intimacy. In this blog post, the successful Shiree, wants to her from you.


You can also read Shiree's Beauty & the Geek: Zola's Magic Touch, and see firsthand how her charcters become intimate and more.
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"Be open and honest with your partner and ask them. If you can't talk about any and everything with your lover, then who can you talk to? Why are you allowing this person open access to the most personable part of you?"

Dictionary def: in·ti·macy - the condition of being intimate. An instant of being intimate.

Okay so I go and look up intimate...

Dictionary def: in·ti·mate - marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity.

 Relating to or indicative of one's deepest nature: intimate prayers. Essential; innermost: the intimate structure of matter. Marked by informality and privacy: an intimate nightclub. Very personal; private: an intimate letter. Of or involved in a sexual relationship. A close friend or confidant.

Huh? You notice how they used the word to explain the word? Tell me, how is that an explanation? They also say "of or involved in a sexual relationship,” yet they list close acquaintance, association, or familiarity.

Honestly do any of those provoke intimacy in you? I mean, I might desire sex with a close acquaintance, association or familiarity, but it doesn't mean I would tell them my most intimate secrets and desires and if I can't do that, I wouldn't waste time sexing them when I can safely pleasure myself without the risk. In my opinion, if someone is in my bed as my chosen lover, I FEEL that I can trust to tell them how I FEEL without them being hurt, angry or upset. Even if they are a bad lover?

Hey, it's not an insult and I'm not insulted by the fact that being a bad lover means I'm admitting I'm not an expert at making love or maybe I just don't have the experience in "making love" as to having sex. Oh yes, there is a difference and for those that just have "good sex" and never experience the other...you are still an inexperienced virgin...just one with skills. If you find having sex an easy thing to do, then you need to know the differences. Sex without emotions or feelings is EASY to jump into, with even strangers, acquaintances or friends.

However, sex with emotions is very hard to do because now you have this urge for more. More everything……more time together, more laughter, more sharing, more tears, more of a commitment and more stability; most of all, more talking.

If you wondering if a woman loves you, then notice how much she talks to you. She chatters more when her emotions are involved and men intend to be more intent in what you have to say because he wants to know everything about you when his emotions are involved.

No they still aren't that talkative ladies, so stop hounding them to give as much as they get. You will know when he sets aside the cell phone, computer, playing with the X-Box, or watching television to actually spend time with you/listen to you, it’s his way of being a mutual chatterbox.

Now Sex and Intimacy...
For me an orgasm is a gift that keeps on giving. It’s my body's way of reminding me that regardless of what is going on around me, today was intended that I live a life of love, laughter and pleasure without fear of the one I share this moment with. If you fear telling the person in your bed the truth, they shouldn't be in your bed sharing in that gift because it's like being given a present you have no use for nor want. We all know what
happens to those presents don't we?

Pleasure can often be abused, because like anything else it can be used to temporarily fulfill the emptiness that plagues when you lack a loving intimate relationship. I wonder how many people are honest about how lonely they feel after sex with the person they are with or how sad it feels when you have feelings but when the sex is over, your partner all of a sudden has something to do, has somewhere to be, or bluntly reminds
YOU that you have something to do or somewhere else to be. How many of you have been in a situation where all of a sudden someone that couldn't get enough of you just moments ago can't get rid of you fast enough when it's time for everything that should be GOOD and fulfilling is about to begin?

I mean, have we truly forgotten how intimate sex is? I admit I enjoy watching porn but it doesn't mean I want to live my life that way. I understand how people have itches that need to be scratched and for some any scratch from anyone or thing will do so I'm not judging. But don't fool yourself by pretending there is no difference between good sex and sex that is good because you are intimate and in love with that person.

There is a HUGE difference.

When you love a person, you talk to them in those most intimate ways about the most intimate things because that is what love is all about. Take advantage of the pillow talk. A lot can be covered during the times of soft touches and adoring kisses. So many people have a routine to lovemaking. Strip, a little oral, a little tit sucking, crotch rubbing and then stick it in and go and guess what? Not one word is spoken. There
is no intimacy in that; you might as well have picked up Joe Blow or Susie Slow for the night. At least they will talk dirty and pretend like you are rocking the hell out of their world.

There is a time for quick loving but it has to balance with the times that you lie down on the pillows naked, turned face to face while holding hands or hands touching while you talk to each other. Use this time to notice the smiles that are sometimes rare during these stressful times. Really listen……not only to their voice, but also what your lover is actually saying. Let them know you are listening, not because you feel you have to, but
because you actually find joy in being able to share the moment and because of the fact that they trust you enough to talk to you at all.

Intimacy to me? It's everything that is before, after and during sex.

Reewww.shireemccarver.com

WTF by Nikki Winter

Well hello there good people! So the lovely Nicole has given me a bit of authority here at the MMP blog when it comes to trying to get new viewers everyday. Therefore I came up with two new ideas--the "Spill It Wednesday"--as you all saw yesterday and today the first "WTF?" Now I won't ALWAYS be the one telling the "WTF?" Stories--hopefully. I'm gonna try roping Janet Eckford into reciting some of her hilarious anecdotes for you guys also but today...today...I just...yeah I need to tell you a guys a little story....


               So as a women/men we all know there's nothing creepier than getting hit on by someone who's old enough to be our father/mother, or GRANDFATHER/GRANDMOTHER--yah know, unless you're INTO THAT. (gag) And I'm beginning to learn the hard way exactly how much it makes my skin crawl. Not to say there's anything wrong with an ATTRACTIVE, smooth, older man/woman with a lot of swagger and a wickedness that just excites you a bit but someone who looks like they have their cemetery plot already picked out and one foot through the door of the nursing home with grandkids OLDER THAN I AM, now ladies/gentlemen THAT is a PROBLEM. Anyway, occasionally I enjoy a DVD rental from the redbox that resides outside of Seven/Eleven around the corner from my cozy little home but I've had to adjust my wardrobe as of late after wearing a pair of short shorts, chucks, and a cut off t-shirt got me this....


             "Hey! Excuse me baby...Hey!...Yeah you girl! I know you hear me! Oh c'mon! Just look at me!" 
             I turned my head slightly to see something garbed in bright yellow FUBU casually strolling my way. Or AT LEAST he THOUGHT he was casually strolling. I couldn't tell if he had a recent knee injury, hip replacement, or if he got his walk from an old ass blacksplotation movie (shrug)
            I shook my head and went back to trying to pick a decent movie for my lonely Friday night--at the time I was single--whilst ignoring the geezer coming my way. What happened next will forever go down in history as "That brief demonic possession I experienced in 2012" when said geezer took one of his crusty gnarled hands and waved it in front of my face--a bit too close for comfort--going, "Excuse me sweetheart, what's your name?" 
           For a second I felt like I was standing outside of my own body WATCHING this person I had NEVER met in my life tug my Virgo lighter from my pocket, switch it on and hold it close to the geezer before saying in a voice that I don't think was mine, "If you don't get away from me right now I will light your bright ass on fire. You're already competing with the sun for attention, how would you like to be one step ahead and just as hot?" 
          The geezer held up his hands and backed away slowly. "Hey, hey now. Lets not do that. I was just trying to talk to you." 
          My brow quirked. "Why don't you try talking to someone who was actually standing in the temple WITH you when Jesus flipped those tables. That way ya'll have something in common to discuss?" 
          His lip curled just a bit and he looked like he wanted to reply but instead waved his hand and muttered, "Whatever" before shuffling away. 
          And THAT folks is what made me go "WTF?" (shakes head) Sometimes I wanna leave the house in a parka just so I won't EVER have to endure THAT again but it feels like God is in the middle of trying to give the south a taste of what it feels like in hell. And let me tell ya'll just because of THAT I've been in bible study EVERY WEEK. (grin) Stay tuned for next week where I bring you guys a new "Spill It Wednesday" and the story of my first Gentlemen's Club experience. Ah, I see that perked some folk's interest! Pervs! 

The Story vs. The Writer

Mocha Memoirs Press's thriller writer, Jessica Housand-Weaver, knows a thing or two about story. Her tale, THE SCREAM OF THE SIREN, sent shrivers and frightened readers and critics alike. In her blog post below, she discusses the orgins of her stories and characters.
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The Story vs. The Writer
by Jessica Housand-Weaver

After reading a great story, we are left with a sense of anticlimax and disappointment that it has ended. No matter how awesome the ending, we hunger to be immersed further in the storyworld. This leads to a certain fascination with the writer. We feel close to them because we have been privy to what exists in their mind. We empathize with the writer and desire to continue the dialogue.

We want to ask: how did you create such an absorbing story? Or in the case of some horror writers, who, as creators of such terrible worlds, seem even creepier than their stories—what is wrong with you?

How much of writing is fact and fiction has been the speculation of readers for centuries. This speculation, which helps bring readers, writers, and characters together, is almost as enjoyable as the story itself. Like the ‘mad scientist’ stereotype, or the ‘unstable artist’ (think Van Gogh), writers truly are a basket case class of their own. Surely, a ‘normal’ person, or one with ‘normal’ experiences, could not concoct the sheer complexity and twists involved in storywriting.

I concur, with just a slight modification—a ‘normal’ person would not want to.

We writers are not ‘right; in the head. By this, I mean, we are swamped left and right in our
minds with ideas, experiences, and possibilities that we just have to tell you. We have a communication
disorder of a sort, a kind of communomania. We are strangers who share intimate secrets with our
readers without ever speaking or touching. We enjoy the solitude of our communication artform but
need to connect with you; in fact, we can’t stop.

Our characters are complex conglomerations of fact and exaggerative fiction. They are all of you, all the people we have ever loved or despised in the upgraded 2.0 story version. We build off of the emotions, personalities, and experiences we have had in our lives and decorate them a little bit to make them more palatable, especially for readers longing for something a little different and less mundane than their everyday life experiences. In essence, we are escape artists… and we are taking you with us.

As a writer, it can be a little amusing (even awkward) when family members, friends, or readers ask questions about my personal life after reading a piece like my thriller, The Scream of the Siren, published last year by Mocha Memiors Press. Readers want to know, who the characters are really. They find certain physical or name traits of individuals that appear to match up with the characters in the story. A favorite character to do this with has proven to be the love-maddened antagonist in The Scream of the Siren, Alejandro. Readers wonder if he is based off of a real person; my husband sometimes gets funny looks.

Again, I like to think of my characters as pieces, little pieces of anyone who has ever made an impression in my life, taken completely out of context, and mashed up into one juxtaposed mess that I then interject with all the things I have to tell you (remember, I suffer from communomania). While some aspects of the story, the main character, and even Alejandro do have very strong parallels in my real life experiences, writing is, in the end, what I like to refer to as quantum communication—sharing with you pieces of possibilities out of what already exists.

Spill It Wednesday with Nikki Winter

Welcome to our first ever "Spill It Wednesday" hosted by none other than I (cue really great theme music) Nikki Winter! Otherwise known as "Little One" and or "The Padawan." Well folks this is where I get some of your favorite MMP authors to drop by and spill their proverbial guts. Today we have the wonderful, the lovely, the INSANE Drea Riley doing just that. Let's get started shall we?

  Q)  What made you decide to become a writer?—Question by reader Jill Bryant. 

  A)I don’t think I had a choice, its part of who I am.

        Q)Besides being a bestselling author, what other goals/dreams do you have? Aka: what do you wanna be when you grow up?—Question by author Shirelle Higgins

        A)An awesome wife and super mom! Oh and wonderwoman…sigh yup.

        Q)When you write a story that does really well is there ever pressure to make the next one just as successful or do you just go with the flow and let the chips fall where they may? How do you handle the ups and downs of the business?—Question by reader A.W. Brad

  A)Because writing isn’t yet my bread and butter I don’t sweat it.  There is always pressure to be commercially viable, but I work on that part between books by building my brand and communicating with my fans. I try to listen to the vibe of the times to stay relevant with what stories I tell, but after all is said and done. I do what I do and the rest is just up to the universe.

  Q)  What’s the one story line you haven't tackled but you'd actually PAY to be able to write?—Question by author Dréa Riley

  A)THIS ONE TIME AT BAND CAMP…you didn't think I’d really answer my own question…maybe my memoirs…like a real life tell all chronicle of who I am .

        Q)Do you research stories? If so, what's the furthest you'd ever go to get the story?—Question by author Eden Royce

  A)Yes and no. I like to make sure that unless I  am creating a world, that the facts of locals and life are as truthful as possible. I tend to write about what I know about. And I look up what I  don’t know. I’ve interviewed officers, soldiers, doctors, EMTs and many others to be sure I know what I am talking about. I’ve even tried sexual positions with the hubs to make sure logistics work. I’ve taken trips to places so I can write about what I saw.  But I’d never go under cover or anything wild.

  Q)When you write a character how much of you or people you know are that imitated in that character?—Question by reader Cherryce Williams  

  A) TONS…lol everyone finds themselves in my characters at some point or another.

         Q) What hurts worse; a bad fan review, peer review, or critic's review?—Question by reader Cece Dreams   
         A)Bullshit reviews,  I hate reviews that are, “ this is too short, or this cost too much” I can take honest critiques like I do a shot in the ass, suck it up and move on, but I really hate to see reviewers that gang up on authors so that their ‘favorite or pet’ authors get a better ranking. Or who talk trash because they think my craft should be free.  Write a fking book if you want a free story.

         Q) Which comes first for you; the character(s), or the story idea?—Question by author Thomas Olbert.

         A)Both…its like a simultaneous thing for me. The moment a theme  is presented the character steps up and says yeah that’s me and this is how it happened. Or the moment a character steps up they go HEY this one time at  vacation bible school.

         Q) Is your writing life imitating art or art imitating life? –Question by author Dréa Riley  

         A) BOTH

         Q) What’s next for you as an author?—Question by author Nikki Winter

         A)Making myself just do it. I have so many things started, hundreds of things. So now its time just write. Make it happen.

        Well people there you have it. So far you've seen that my crazy ass Twin wants to be "Wonderwoman" and that I need to put my foot on her damn back so she'll finish the HUNDREDS of WIPS she has sitting on her hardrive. You can find the "Wonderwoman's" (giggle) brand new Mocha shot and many other of her works here at http://mochamemoirspress.com/an-unbirthday-treat-31-days-of-steamy-mocha/ (grin) Chick has work to do and for that matter so do I! Therefore I shall bid you all adieu. Check in tomorrow for my SECOND brand new addition to the blog promptly entitled "WTF?" Where I get to update you folks on all the shizz that makes me go "WTF" on a daily basis! 

Ten Lessons That Star Trek Can Teach You About Writing

Michael LaRocca is not only an extremely talented editor at Mocha Memoirs Press. He's also an extremely talented author. Check out his latest release, Lazarus: A Gary Drake Mystery. It's availabe in print and e-book formats. Get a copy today and see how Michael uses these 10 lessons himself.

Michael describes below how Star Trek can teach you a lot about writing.


1) Readers Matter
In the first STAR TREK film, Gene Roddenberry finally had the budget to create all the footage he wanted of ENTERPRISE just sitting there, looking real purty, and by gum he was gonna use it all. I personally don’t mind watching all those minutes, 22 or 187 or whatever it was, but most folks think that’s too much. If most of your readers say something needs to be changed or added or deleted, listen to them.

2) Characters Matter
 When the second pilot was filmed, it was already pre-ordained that William Shatner was the star. Since Spock was the only character from the first pilot to also appear in the second pilot, it was safe to assume Leonard Nimoy was a costar. Who else? Well, McCoy and the chemistry just kinda happened.

When I write, character comes first, and plot etc. unfold from there. Even if you start from some other place, character always matters. In the end, nothing happens unless it happens to somebody, and that somebody is who your reader cares about regardless of species.

When you write, have some sort of plan, and have some control, but be flexible. If your story’s telling you to go in a certain direction, listen to it. That might be your characters talking to you. (And yes, I know you made them all up. Don’t bother me with details.)

3) Turn Weaknesses into Strengths
 I can’t remember if I wrote about this in CONUNDRUM or ENIGMA, so be safe and read both. Why did ENTERPRISE have a transporter? Because it wasn’t in the TV show’s budget to film launch and landing sequences for shuttlecraft on various and sundry new planets every week. This forced the writers to invent the transporter, and that’s some seriously cool shit. STAR TREK wouldn’t be STAR TREK without it.

4) Fuck Grammar
Okay, not really. Speaking as your editor, please don’t fuck grammar. But you can break any rule you want if you have a good reason. Try to never break a rule from ignorance. But if you’ve got a reason, go for it. That’s how we as authors change the language.

Why did Shakespeare invent 10% of the words he used? Because if he’d invented 20% or 50% he’d have confused too many of his viewers.

Meanwhile, the “rule” about splitting infinitives is totally bogus. “To boldly go” is a perfectly good English phrase. In Latin, it isn’t possible to split an infinitive because “to go” (for example) is one word. You can’t write “to boldly go” in Latin because “to go” is only one word. Someone decided English grammar should follow Latin grammar — that sounds like some of Noah Webster’s shit — and was soundly shouted down for being too stupid to live. Feel free to boldly split infinitives like James Brown split tight pants. Then jump back and kiss yourself.

5) Wishful Thinking Is Allowed
In the STAR TREK future, everybody quotes long passages of Shakespeare from memory. If I say it like that, it might sound hard to believe, but in the context of the STAR TREK world, it fits. It’s allowed. Dammit, people should quote Shakespeare from memory, just like that cockatiel I taught when his humans were away. I never could teach him context, though.

6) It’s Not About The Money
Okay, sometimes it was about the money. But in roughly two years of the original show and roughly ten years of Next Generation, it wasn’t about the money. In some of the films, including some of the stinkers, it wasn’t about the money.

I’ve always said that you should write what you’d like to read, then find readers who share your interests. Yep, that’s what Gene Roddenberry did. He believed in world peace, racial and gender integration, trying to shake off old prejudices to the best of our limited abilities, freedom of religion and non-religion, gay rights, cooperation rather than killing, the Prime Directive of non-interference in viable developing cultures, war as a last and not a first resort, and seeing just how much political and religious commentary he could slip past the censors, who weren’t as bright as the average STAR TREK viewer.

Did he really believe in the cashless society? If a “credit” or a “quatloo” walks like a dollar bill and quacks like a dollar bill… oh, wait, that’s not Roddenberry, that’s Terrell Owens. Never mind.

7) YOU Are The WriterRemember when I said to listen to your readers? That doesn’t mean you have to always agree with them. When Gene Roddenberry’s vision put him at odds with the majority, he went with his vision. We should all do that. Such judgment calls are what separate the great writers from the merely ordinary. And to pull all that off within the confines of a 1960s TV show is nothing short of extraordinary. You could do far worse than to follow his example.

8 ) Choose Your Battles
That’s what Roddenberry had to do every time he butted heads with TV executives. It’s what I do as an author when I disagree with my editor, and what I expect an author to do when I’m his or her editor. “I’ll say Starfleet pays its officers in credits if you let the white guy kiss the black girl.” Or whatever.

9) Too Many Sequels Can Sour Anything
I shouldn’t end on such a downer, should I? Too bad. But at least Paramount waited for Roddenberry to die before they destroyed what he created.

10) Posterity Matters
How long has it been since Captain Kirk first flexed those biceps and paused in funny places during his speechifying? It’s been over 40 or 45 years since Roddenberry started writing STAR TREK, and we’re still talking about it. That’s what we write for. I don’t want you to love my shit now and forget it tomorrow. A novel is not a damn blog or a tweet. Write something timeless. Something to piss off future generations the way it does your immediately family, something teachers can torture students with, something that just will not fucking die.

MOCHA MEMOIRS ESPRESSO SHOTS: If Only & Program Complete

We'd like to share with you two more titles that aren't exactly steamy, but they are from our Espresso Shots line.

These are very much like the Steamy Mocha Shots, but without the steam. In fact, these are bold blasts of a genre—science fiction, horror, or fantasy. These stories have all the hallmarks of those classic genres but add dashes of bold creativity. The other good news—espresso shots are only 6,000 words or less.We like to think of espresso shots as coffee (classic genres) with shots of espresso (bold eye-opening creativity).
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Miriam Ruff's horror/science fiction title, IF ONLY, is an espresso blast of both terror and suspense.

Blurb: A disfigured man develops a friendship over the Internet, but when the two finally meet, events take a surprising turn.

Purchase for less than a $1.00!

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Likewise, Miriam's science fiction titlte, PROGRAM COMPLETE, is a jolt of spine tingling suspense!

Blurb: Stationed on the remote Relay 4 asteroid communications station, Devon Fragoza faces a life and death struggle as a collision with a supply ship destroys his life support system. He has only one and a half hours to work with the computer, an artificial intelligence and Fragoza’s closest friend, to find a way to restore the system while at the same time facing the inevitability of his own mortality.

Purchase for less than a $1.00!Both titles are available through Drive Thru Fiction which is one of our current shopping cart distributor. The titles are also available at Amazon and BN.com.

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31 Days of Steamy Mocha: Paula Alexander's Cup of Joe

WEEK FOUR has arrived and we're still excited about our anniversary. Mocha Memoirs Press seeks to continue to offer splendid flavors in a variety of genres. This week is no exception.

We're proud to have new author, Paula Alexander, to our MMP family. Her story, A Cup of Joe, pairs Kate, an independent older woman with an exciting rodeo, MBA degreed, and younger Joe.

There isn't a contest winner today. This is the last day for the contest so be sure to post!!

Blurb: Kate, owner of Kate’s Bar and Grill loves when the rodeo comes to town. When Little Joe McCoy returns to town, Kate realizes she’s missing something in her life, and the lingering ache of loss had kept her prisoner for too long. When Joe, younger, handsome, and delicious, Joe, comes back to help her close up, Kate wonders if he wants more than just a cup of Joe.

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance
Purchase link: http://mochamemoirspress.com/a-cup-of-joe/
Price: $1.00

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31 Steamy Days of Mocha: Erica Leigh's A Great Cup of Coffee

WEEK FOUR has arrived and we're still excited about our anniversary. Mocha Memoirs Press seeks to continue to offer splendid flavors in a variety of genres. This week is no exception.

We start Week Four with another solid, sexy story from Erica Leigh. You've already tasted one of Erica Leigh's story, MAKING MEMORIES. Now, get ready for A GREAT CUP OF COFFEE.

Blurb: After two years at a remote scientific outpost, Charis is desperate for two things.  There's no hope for one, but she's a master in her field and she WILL find some way to have her coffee!  But when her experiment sets off the kitchen alarm, she just might get the opportunity to fulfill both needs.

Genre: Erotic contemporary romance

Purchase link:http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-agreatcupofcoffee-887883-149.html

Price: $1.00


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YOU CAN WIN TOO WITH OUR EVERY DAY GIVE AWAY!

Each day we'll give away a gift/prize. All you have to do is give a comment on our blog for today's $1.00 Steamy Mocha shot. We'll put your name in a drawing and pull out the winner. We'll announce the winner on tomorrow's blog. So, start posting and grab your copy of A GREAT CUP OF COFFEE.

31 Days of Steamy Mocha: Ana J. Rows' TRIPLE SHOT MOCHA

Our 31 Days of Steamy Mocha continues to smolders to an low burn at the end of WEEK THREE. These steamy and erotic romance stories contain elements of mocha, memories, or both.

Blurb: After years of hard work and minimal play, Mia Andrews and Ethan Summers have really come into their own. Both of their businesses are not only up and running, but turning profits monetarily and socially. While he’s held back in order to give Mia a chance to make her dream come true, Ethan cannot wait any longer. It’s time to make Mia his forever and a day.

Mia loves her café, but she loves the man who made it a reality even more. Comfortable with their relationship, she suspects Ethan has held back so she might make her dreams come true. What he doesn’t suspect is that he is her dream. Ethan is everything to her in every way. So when he proposes a lifelong ‘deal’ with him she is more than ready to sign on the dotted line and seal the deal with a kiss

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance

Purchase Link: http://mochamemoirspress.com/triple-shot-mocha
Cost: $1.00 promotional

 

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YOU CAN WIN TOO WITH OUR EVERY DAY GIVE AWAY!

Each day we'll give away a gift/prize. All you have to do is give a comment on our blog for today's $1.00 Steamy Mocha shot. We'll put your name in a drawing and pull out the winner. We'll announce the winner on tomorrow's blog. So, start posting and grab your copy of TRIPLE SHOT MOCHA today!

7/20/12's winner is _Angela Williams



Please email your legal name, address, and yesterday's date, to Nicole Kurtz at mailto:mochamemoirspress @ gmail.com *removed the spaces*

31 Days of Steamy Mocha: Shara Azod & Marteeka Karland's Triple Mocha Twist

Our 31 Days of Steamy Mocha continues to smolder and burn into WEEK THREE. These steamy and erotic romance stories contain elements of mocha, memories, or both.

Blurb: Joel and Darren have watched and lusted after Kiana for months. They know they want her -- need her -- to complete their relationship, but the aloof vixen will barely give them the time of day. Fortunately, neither man is easily discouraged. They'll take their mocha with a triple shot of lust as the perfect recipe for love. All they need to do is convince Kiana she belongs with them, no matter how unconventional the relationship may seem.

Genre: Contemporary erotic romancem, menage

Purchase Link: http://mochamemoirspress.com/mocha-triple-twist
Cost: $1.00 promotional

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YOU CAN WIN TOO WITH OUR EVERY DAY GIVE AWAY!

Each day we'll give away a gift/prize. All you have to do is give a comment on our blog for today's $1.00 Steamy Mocha shot. We'll put your name in a drawing and pull out the winner. We'll announce the winner on tomorrow's blog. So, start posting and grab your copy of TRIPLE MOCHA TWIST today!

7/19/12's winner is _Teresa K.



Please email your legal name, address, and yesterday's date, to Nicole Kurtz at mailto:mochamemoirspress @ gmail.com *removed the spaces*

31 Days of Steamy Mocha: Dahlia DeWinters' Swimming Lessons

Our 31 Days of Steamy Mocha continues to smolder and burn into WEEK THREE. These steamy and erotic romance stories contain elements of mocha, memories, or both.

Blurb: On a warm summer day, a normally prudent woman makes a drastic change with the help of too much caffeine and her hot, younger neighbor.

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance

Purchase Link: http://mochamemoirspress.com/swimming-lessons-31-days-of-steamy-mocha/
Cost: $1.00 promotional

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YOU CAN WIN TOO WITH OUR EVERY DAY GIVE AWAY!

Each day we'll give away a gift/prize. All you have to do is give a comment on our blog for today's $1.00 Steamy Mocha shot. We'll put your name in a drawing and pull out the winner. We'll announce the winner on tomorrow's blog. So, start posting and grab your copy of SWIMMING LESSONS today!

7/18/12's winner is Nikki Prince!



Please email your legal name, address, and yesterday's date, to Nicole Kurtz at mailto:mochamemoirspress @ gmail.com *removed the spaces*

31 Days of Steamy Mocha: Naomi Jones' Say the Word

Our 31 Days of Steamy Mocha continues to smolder and burn into WEEK THREE. These steamy and erotic romance stories contain elements of mocha, memories, or both.

Naomi Jones is such a giver, she wrote two stories for our anniversary celebration. She gave us two sexy, vampiric gifts. The first story, in case you missed it, AFTER MIDNIGHT DELIGHT is in the same series as this new one, SAY THE WORD.

Blurb: Never go to bed angry. That was a motto Dante lived by when it came to Jaylene. A customer felt the need to rile her up and he knew she’d be on the war path. But he a trick up his sleeve and down his pants to make her smile.

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance

Purchase Link: http://mochamemoirspress.com/say-the-word-31-days-of-steamy-mocha
Cost: $1.00 promotional

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YOU CAN WIN TOO WITH OUR EVERY DAY GIVE AWAY!

Each day we'll give away a gift/prize. All you have to do is give a comment on our blog for today's $1.00 Steamy Mocha shot. We'll put your name in a drawing and pull out the winner. We'll announce the winner on tomorrow's blog. So, start posting and grab your copy of SAY THE WORD, today!

7/17/12 Winner is Gynger Fyer
Please email your legal name, address, and yesterday's date, to Nicole Kurtz at mailto:mochamemoirspress @ gmail.com *removed the spaces*

31 Days of Steamy Mocha: Drea Riley's An Unbirthday Treat

Our 31 Days of Steamy Mocha continues to smolder and burn into WEEK THREE. These steamy and erotic romance stories contain elements of mocha, memories, or both.

Drea Riley is a talented, renowned, funny, brilliant, southern, and all Texan. All of her is on display in AN UNBIRTHDAY TREAT. A fun, sexy and quirky tale unlike any of the stories thus far. That uniqueness is entirely Drea.

Genre: Contemporary erotic romance

Purchase Link: http://mochamemoirspress.com/an-unbirthday-treat-31-days-of-steamy-mocha/
Cost: $1.00 promotional

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YOU CAN WIN TOO WITH OUR EVERY DAY GIVE AWAY!

Each day we'll give away a gift/prize. All you have to do is give a comment on our blog for today's $1.00 Steamy Mocha shot. We'll put your name in a drawing and pull out the winner. We'll announce the winner on tomorrow's blog. So, start posting and grab your copy of AN UNBIRTHDAY TREAT, today!

7/16/12's winner is _Brenda!




Please email your legal name, address, and yesterday's date, to Nicole Kurtz at mailto:mochamemoirspress @ gmail.com *removed the spaces*

31 Days of Steamy Mocha: Nikki Prince's MOCHA KISSES

Our 31 Days of Steamy Mocha continues to smolder and burn into WEEK THREE. These steamy and erotic romance stories contain elements of mocha, memories, or both.

New author, Nikki Prince, is anything but naive. This author's debut story, MOCHA KISSES, demonstrates a sexy maturity that rivals veteran authors. Prince's passion is on perfect display in MOCHA KISSES.

Blurb:Genre: Contemporary erotic romance

Two mocha lattes and a pact.
Though a decade apart in age and from different ethnic backgrounds, will their mutual love of books and addiction to mocha lattes make for one evening of pleasure or something more for geeky Ronan and Meredith?
Meri didn't think Ronan was serious about their agreement to spend time together if both were single by her thirty-fifth birthday. After all, he was still seeing that redhead when they made the pact.

Ronan worried Meri would think him too young for the kind of commitment he wanted from her. Can one chocolate-drenched encounter overcome all their obstacles and concerns?

Purchase Link: http://mochamemoirspress.com/mocha-kisses-31-days-of-steamy-mocha/
Cost: $1.00 promotional

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YOU CAN WIN TOO WITH OUR EVERY DAY GIVE AWAY!

Each day we'll give away a gift/prize. All you have to do is give a comment on our blog for today's $1.00 Steamy Mocha shot. We'll put your name in a drawing and pull out the winner. We'll announce the winner on tomorrow's blog. So, start posting and grab your copy of MOCHA KISSES, today!

7/14/12 Winner is  Michelle Church, and the winner from 7/15/12 is Cherryce!

Please email your legal name, address, and yesterday's date, to Nicole Kurtz at mailto:mochamemoirspress @ gmail.com *removed the spaces*