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Please Welcome Mahalia Levey



Tell us your latest news.
I just finished an IR short for Beautiful Trouble Publishing. The story is titled Flaws and All, and I had a hard time keeping it short. I’m excited that Inscribed Love will be out in September from XOXO publishing. It’s included in the Volume one Tattoo Anthology.

What initially inspired you to become an author?
A friend challenged me to try writing for publication, after she’d read some stories I’d posted on line on a writing group.
What is your favorite book? And Why?
Acheron by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Man oh Man. I waited for that book forever it seemed. I sat up and read it for ten hours, took a nap got up and finished it. I love the entire series but everyone…loves Ash.

Do you have a particular time of day to write? We love to hear about a writer’s process.
What do you find to be the most difficult part of writing?

I wake up and check the sites, facebook, myspace, twitter, a few loops while coffee is brewing, and then I start up my play list to really wake up. Somewhere around 8 am, I begin to write and or clean up something recently written. Dialogue to me is hard. I don’t stumble so much around it now but now and then I get tongue tied. 
Do you have a favorite author?
I adore Sherrilyn Kenyon and Christine Feehan. I’m a lover of books though so I basically love everyone I read.
Tell us about your first published work.
Embrace The Moment was my very first release. It came out in May of this year at Phaze.com. What’s exciting is that it sprung up from the love of a song called Seize The Day by Avenged Sevenfold, and became the first of six novellas about a United States Coast Guard rescue swim team.
Do you have a favorite of your own works?
They’re all my babies but, Demonic Persuasion holds my heart the most. Fatal the heroine has so many pieces of me that I can’t wait to finish the series and her story to share with others.

Where can our readers find you on the web?
I can be found at www.mahalialevey.com  On the front page of my website are buttons to lead viewers to my facebook,myspace,twitter, yahoo group accounts.
www.hales3000.multiply.com Has my playlist on it live. I blog news and under links are every site I’ve interviewed at all in one place.
Where can they buy your books?
www.phaze.com
www.eirelander-publishing.com
www.extasybooks.com
www.xoxopublishing.com
www.beautifultroublepublishing.com
Soon:
www.liquidsilverbooks.com
I’m at most third party sites as well.
Anything you would like to add?
I’d like to thank readers for purchasing my work and you for interviewing me.

Bio: Being smart and sassy with a great sense of humor comes easily for Mahalia Levey. An avid reader of books, she found herself enchanted with disappearing completely into the worlds authors created. One day she vowed to herself she'd be one of them. Then family life came, and college right after. Swayed from her childhood course of action, it took many years for her to get back to that place she held dear as a child. Now she is running full steam ahead to keep up with the many ideas flowing freely. She plans on taking her work to higher levels and expanding her genres. Her main focus is giving her readers variety. Her works in progress include paranormal, fantasy and mainstream romance. Taking characters and watching them grow past what she’s imagined is her true passion.

Inscribed Love Blurb
Jaida Winter's strived to be the epitome of a perfect daughter, following every rigid rule without question. Wondering what she missed out on in her strict life, she's ready for a little independence, and decides it's time to throw caution to the wind. A tattoo is the first step to a new attitude.
Incubus Torquatus Darkblood remains locked within a talisman for the crimes of seducing a witch's daughter. His release lies within the ink of a tattoo drawn on a young woman's skin. When Jaida's pain calls to him, Torq finds he doesn't just want sinful pleasure of the flesh, he wants the woman whose soul cries freedom.

Excerpt

Jaida stared at the computer screen attempting to ignore the burning in her lower back. She thought about calling the parlor, but didn’t want to appear like a wimp. Not only that, she wasn’t sure she was ready to talk to Joe again. She wasn’t stuck up by any means. The way the tattoos on his skin told a story, she’d sit for hours to find out the history of each one. Attraction like that could land her in hot water, with her immovable, impossible to please, overbearing parents.
Break the mold.
To top it off, the statistics on the new penile dysfunction drugs didn’t add up. Jaida slipped her reading glasses back onto her face and stared at the data. Next to her eight books filled with graphs, correspondence from team meetings, clinical trials, documents and all pertinent data confirmed what she’d suspected all along. Not every male member for the second trial reported back to the clinicians to fill out the survey. A groan left her mouth. She couldn’t have concrete reports without the surveys. She officially hated her job as head statician for Nelson and Myrtaz Pharmaceuticals. Privately, she could think of at least a few lovers who could use some Zephal. She reached for her ruler and dug down her back in an attempt to stop the irritation.
“Jaida?” An intern popped her head in.
“Yes?” Jaida knew she was caught red-handed, but man it itched so damn bad. She slipped the ruler back on her desk and gave the intern her full attention.
“I have the list of contacts you requested this morning. Do you um need help with something?”
“Excellent, if you could contact them all for email conformation, I’d appreciate it. I’d like their surveys in my inbox by the end of the week. Make sure to advise them no more Zephal if they can’t follow through on their obligations, as well as no financial reimbursement for their time.” She wiggled in her chair trying to scratch her itch.
“Jaida,” Thomas barged in without proper protocol. What’s wrong with you?” He approached her desk.
“Nothing but a little itch,” Jaida half growled. “Can’t you people knock and wait for an answer?”
Thomas looked at her back. “Is that blood?”
“Where?”
“On your back.”
“Miriam. Could you please go do what I asked? Thomas can you go back from where you came and give me some peace please?” She finished in exasperation.
“Yes, boss.” Miriam ducked out of the room.
“Thomas…you’re still here.” Jaida fumed.
Thomas clamped his arm on Jaida’s and hauled her out of her chair. With his free hand, he yanked up the back of her dress shirt. “You got a tattoo?”
“Jaida slapped his hands away. “Just because we happened to have dated in high school and your parents happen to be friends with my parents, doesn’t give you permission to pry into my life, or manhandle me!” She shot him an icy glare and then smoothed her shirt down.
“What’s gotten into you lately? Behavior like that is going to bring down your mother’s wrath.”
So he appeared to be worried. She couldn’t dislike him for that. “One tattoo isn’t the end of the world.” She sighed.
“People like us don’t get tattoos.” He frowned at her.
“I’m a person, not a people and I wanted a tattoo.” Here was the side of Thomas she disliked, the pompous holier than thou type.
“You should go see a doctor about your back. I doubt you’re supposed to bleed and please tell me you went to a clean shop.”
“If we weren’t working I’d tell you what I think about you. Of course the place was clean, hell it’s cleaner than that hovel you call an office. Get out. I have work to do.”
“Excuse me Miss, is everything alright?”
Jaida turned to the liquid sex voice that penetrated through her fog of anger. What she saw stole the rest of her tirade. Eyes the color of midnight stared at her, etched in worry. She held her breath and gazed from top to bottom, strong jaw with slight stubble, bulging muscles, tattoos galore, downward her gaze went, landing smack dab on his crotch. Oh mamma. She looked up.
“Oh mamma wasn’t what I expected,” The stranger replied.
“Look Mr. Tee shirt and tight jeans. The clinical study for Zepal is down the hall in Suite B.” Thomas interjected and pointed toward the door.
“Zepal? Clinical trial?”
“It’s the penile dysfunction study,” Jaida squeaked.
“I can assure you there is nothing dysfunctional about my penis.” He quirked a brow. “Miss, are you okay?”

Carnal Connections by Berengaria Brown



Title: Carnal Connections

Author: Berengaria Brown

Publisher: Breathless Press

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-926771-61-8

Genre: Contemporary Gay Erotica

Length: 2,970 words

Buy Link

Author Website

Author Email: website contact

Rating: 3.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: Erotic

Other: Gay, ménage

Reviewer: S. K. Fero

Date: 8-30-10



Can a one-night stand between three men turn into something more? There is always hope.

Ithiel, Jason and Toby meet at a wedding and all three are more than ready to leave the celebration afterward. But not alone. An attraction between each of them has sparked an interest to spend the evening together in a very pleasurable way.



This is a very short story and because it is erotica the characters are not developed too far beyond surface level. There is a good amount of heat and this is a nice, quick read.

Dragon Kin: Raen by Michelle Hasker



Title: Dragon Kin: Raen

Author: Michelle Hasker

Publisher: Changeling Press

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-60521-475-7

Genre: Paranormal, Shapeshifters

Length: Novella

Buy Link

Author Website

Author Email: michelle@michellehasker.com

Rating: 4.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: Sensual

Other: Masturbation, oral play

Reviewer: Starla Kaye

Date: 8-30-10



Cowboy Dru, Drustan, Dru…whatever name he goes by is hot, and not just because he is a dragon shapeshifter. This was such a fun, romantic story and I wish it had been longer.

Raen has been burned in marriage before and is reluctant to try a serious relationship again. But she has made a friend on the Internet, a cowboy, and he sent her a photo. Now she fantasizes about the handsome cowboy. If only…



Dru is a rancher and a shapeshifting dragon. Out with his friends one night, he meets the local “Ice Queen,” a woman known to emasculate a man for even trying to flirt with her. But he realizes he wants to do far more than flirt with Raen. “All dragons are born with the knowledge of how to find their mate.” He has found his, except convincing her they belong together for life isn’t easy.

The characters are nicely developed for this short of a story. There are all sorts of conflicts: internal concerns of not feeling worthy of being loved by such a handsome man, knowing in his soul that he has found the only mate he could ever have and needing to convince her, external differences (he’s a dragon shapeshifter and she’s a human). Overall, an enjoyable story. Hot, too.

Unclaimed by Amanda Steiger



Title: Unclaimed

Author: Amanda Steiger

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-59578-742-2

Genre: Paranormal/Vampire

Length: 154 Pages

Buy Link

Author Email: sekuiro@gmail.com

Rating: 5 Diamonds

Heat Level: Hot/Erotic

Reviewer: Shannon

Date: 8/28/2010



From the get go, Ashley has her hands full. In addition to fighting monsters on the side, she has to constantly rebuff Victor, a powerful vampire determined to mate with her.

Must admit, I loved Ashley’s character from the start. While she’s a berretta wielding vampire with a take-no-prisoners attitude, she’s also a woman with a softer side who’s encumbered by heartbreaking memories. When she meets telepath, Will Conner, sparks fly. Ashley struggles with her attraction to him. After all, to be with Will puts his life at risk from Victor. That and the fact she’s a vampire. How could he ever desire her if he knew such a thing? On top of all this, there’s another enemy, Blaine, a powerful telepath and serial killer. The man she’s been hired to kill.



Unclaimed is definitely a thrilling page-turner. I found myself sympathizing with both the hero and heroine as they tried to overcome all to be together. Super sensual, action packed and well-written, Amanda Steiger pens a vampire novel well worth reading. I highly recommend this story!

Must Be Doing Something Right by Wendi Zwaduk



Title: Must Be Doing Something Right

Author: Wendi Zwaduk

Publisher: Total-E-Bound

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-0-85715-167-4

Genre: Bondage

Length: Short story

Buy Link

Author Website

Author Email: wendi.zwaduk@gmail.com

Rating: 3.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: Erotic

Other: Bondage, anal sex, voyeurism

Reviewer: S. K. Fero

Date: 8-27-10



Nate Waterford loves women, has a highly sexual nature, and two secrets. He is in love with Courteney who sees him as her best friend. With his history of playing around, he doubts she would take him seriously if he admitted his attraction to her. And with his fear of letting her know about his “real” life of being a lawyer and part owner of where she works, he is sure she will see him as a liar. But he has his reasons for keeping these secrets.



Courteney Bennett is hesitant to trust men not to lie to her. And she keeps a secret about her highly sensual and sexual interests. Her fantasies are her friends, as is Nate. She is also in love with him but fears losing their closeness if she even admits being attracted to him.



This was a short, fairly hot romance about two characters struggling with believable internal conflicts. The developing heat between them was enjoyable and this was a good read.

To Take Up the Sword by Brynna Curry



Title: To Take Up the Sword
Author: Brynna Curry
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publication Date: September 2010
ISBN: 978-1-61650-190-7
Genre: Contemporary Suspense
Length: Short Novella
Author Email: brynnasword@yahoo.com
Heat Level: Sweet-sensual
Other: Graphic violence
Reviewer: Starla Kaye
Date: 8-26-10

Book 2 of the Elemental Magic Series

I loved this book. It has everything: well-developed characters, strong emotions, obstacles galore, villains, and a complicated plot…and all in a novella-length story.

Special Agent Gabriel Spiller doesn’t consider himself anyone’s guardian angel. He leads a tough life fighting on the side of law and order, too often risking his heart, and losing people he cared about. He can’t allow himself to care about another woman and lose her as well.

Into his complicated life comes Leannan O’Neil, the sister of an undercover cop from his last case, a woman he loved and is now dead. Leannan is nothing like her dead sister, and yet physically so much like her. She comes to him deeply involved in the danger surrounding that still unresolved case. She comes to him for help and for protection, seeing him as some kind of angel. He isn’t, but he vows to protect her. And then…
As a reader, I enjoyed this story a lot. As a writer, I am so envious of the how the author managed to pull all of this off in so few pages. It is a must read for anyone who likes a romantic suspense, characters who pull you in to care about them, and enjoys a developing sweetly sensual romance.


An Act of Generosity by Sharon Maria Bidwell



Title: An Act of Generosity

Author: Sharon Maria Bidwell

Publisher: Changeling Press

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-60521-472-6

Genre: Contemporary Gay Romance

Length: Novella

Buy Link

Author Website

Author Email: theviewoveraonia@yahoo.co.uk

Rating: 5 Diamonds

Heat Level: Sensual, erotic

Other: Gay M/M

Reviewer: Starla Kaye

Date: 8-25-10



Finding that special someone to love can be tricky, even more so in certain circumstances. This was a wonderful story of such a search for that right person to share a life with.



Robert desperately needs to hire a personal assistant and he has found one that he likes but is hesitant to hire. He is drawn to the young man, but Robert is gay. He fears a future sexual harassment problem if he can’t control his desires. Yet, determined that he can, he decides to give Lee a chance.

Lee has been working hard to improve his life from its hard beginnings. He has wanted to thank Rob for something he had done to help Lee a few years ago. An opportunity to do so comes up and he applies for a job he isn’t qualified for, with the hope that he can both finally thank Rob and possibly get the job.



This was a story of people daring to take a chance at helping someone and at trusting their heart. I loved the characterizations, the emotional depths to both Robert and Lee, and their struggles with internal and external conflicts. I was pulling for them both and hoping they could find their well-deserved happiness.

Snow Flower's Bear by Marteeka Karland



Title: Snow Flower’s Bear

Author: Marteeka Karland

Publisher: Changeling Press

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-60521-463-4

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Length: Short story

Buy Link

Author Website

Author Email: mkarland@gmail.com

Rating: 3 Diamonds

Heat Level: Spicy

Other: Ménage, bisexual, Lesbian

Reviewer: S. K. Fero

Date: 8-23-10



Two Faeries, Snow and Rose, live together as best friends and lovers in the Magical Forest and are content with their life. Their biggest fears are the lightning witches. Until one day they find an injured bear, but they do not fear him and decide to tend to his wounded paw. Balen, the white shapeshifting bear/man, is pleased by their concern for him…even more pleased when the two beauties begin pleasuring each other in front of him. He surprises them by shifting into a prime male specimen, perfect for taking on two horny female Faeries.



The story is very short and the characters unique, but only slightly developed due to the limited length of the story. I didn’t see any real conflicts and had a hard time figuring out just how big the Faeries were in comparison to the man. The idea behind the storyline was good, but I needed a bit more explanation here and there.

Kilt Worthy by Catherine Bybee



Title: Kilt Worthy

Author: Catherine Bybee

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: August 2009

ISBN: d3419

Genre: time travel, erotic romance

Length: 41 pages

Buy Link

Author Website

Author Email: catherinebybee@yahoo.com

Rating: 4.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: erotic

Other: oral play, sex games

Reviewer: Gabrielle

Date:8/22/2002



When Jane spots the handsome hunk through her camera lens she is spell bound. Even more surprising is when Logan takes notice of her and begins his seduction.

This short story packs a punch. Its characters are full of emotion and depth making it a sweet read. Jane is a smart woman who has some confidence issues and Logan is just the man to help her. He sees what a beautiful woman Jane is inside and out. Logan takes his time showing Jane just what he really thinks of her. Watching these two begin to make their bond was a great read. Showing us that a knight in shining armor or should I say a kilt can find us when we last expect it.



This is an older book from this author but it still stands the test of time. Well written and with an unexpected twist this is a book that should not be missed. If you have not checked out Catherine Bybee’s books you should definitely give them a try. I have yet to be disappointed with any of the works I have read from this author and am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.

No Turning Back by Mikala Ash



Title: No Turning Back

Author: Mikala Ash

Publisher: Changeling Press

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-60521-444-3

Genre: Futuristic, Paranormal /Vampires

Length: Novella

Buy Link

Rating: 4.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: Sensual

Other: na

Reviewer: S. K. Fero

Date: 8-22-10



Can potential enemies become lovers…or more?



Katie Crusoe hasn’t had an easy life. She is determined to rid the world of vampires, especially those who don’t heed her warnings of not turning humans. She hires out as a protector of the innocent, as a vampire killer.



Anton Bezier hasn’t had an easy life either, in spite of being a billionaire industrialist. He is one of the oldest vampires and he has a conscience. Someone important to him needs to be protected from another vampire elder and he hopes Katie can help him. Still, asking your enemy for help is risking a lot. And finding love again after all these years complicates everything even more.



I enjoyed this vampire futuristic romance and the characters. Since the story was short there wasn’t a lot of time to develop the characters, but the author did a good job of giving the reader enough background to care about them. The conflicts were mainly based on the differences in who they were: vampire versus vampire killer. But there was a nice surprise ending.

Hot Blooded by Lizzie Lynn Lee



Title: Hot Blooded

Author: Lizzie Lynn Lee

Publisher: Changeling Press

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-60521-456-6

Genre: BDSM

Length: Novella

Buy Link

Website

Rating: 3.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: Erotic

Other: BDSM, ménage, gay

Reviewer: S. K. Fero

Date: 8-22-10

Although the main characters involved have both had other relationships, this is really a first chance at love for each one.



Adam is a natural-born submissive with his eye and heart set on winning the attention of the hottest dominant in the French Quarter. His problem is that Jake has another lover and getting his wish seems unlikely. But Jake’s lover has become a problem in his life, changing who he is in a relationship. He is drawn to the submissive who is every bit as hot-blooded as he is and lacks the cruel streak his current lover possesses.



The story is fairly short and yet the characters are developed enough that the reader can care for what happens to them. Conflicts exist both internally and externally. And the sex is hot.

Follow Your Heart by Kathleen Caruthers



Title: Follow Your Heart

Author: Kathleen Caruthers

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 1-60154-768-4

Genre: Romantic Suspense (Crimson Rose)

Length: 228 pages

Buy Link

Author Website :

Rating: 3 ½ Diamonds

Heat Level: Spicy

Reviewer: Alicia Croft

Date: 8/20/10



Ontario police officer, Adian Stone, is frustrated by the lack of clues in the mysterious murders of two young women who have recently given birth so he turns to his sometime partner, psychic Kate Stanhope, for help. Kate receives troubling visions of the victims’ final minutes then nearly collapses when confronted by the possible perpetrator in a line-up. As the case progresses, Kate and Aidan’s relationship develops from strictly business to something much more personal, until demons from her past return to suck her into the murderous events of the present.



I loved the Canadian setting in the southeast Ontario region of the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Thousand Islands, and the suspense plot had enough twists and hints to keep the reader turning pages. Kate’s mother’s behavior really kept me wondering what secrets she was hiding.

Unfortunately, the formal prose style served to distance the reader from the characters and slow the pace. I wanted to know Kate and Aidan better but felt as if a veil were drawn in front of them, and the long passages of narrative summary dragged down the pace of a plot that had great potential for nail-biting psychological suspense.

A Second Chance At Forever by Liz Strange

Title: A Second Chance At Forever

Author: Liz Strange

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Publication Date: July, 2010

ISBN: 978-1-61650-168-6

Genre: Paranormal/Vampire

Length: Novel

Buy Link

Author Website

Author Email: lstrange@cogeco.ca

Rating: 5 Diamonds

Heat Level: Sensual

Other: na

Reviewer: Starla Kaye

Date: 7-22-10



I had the honor of reading and reviewing the first book in this series and couldn’t imagine how the series could get any better. But it did. I have no idea what is in store for the final book in the trilogy, but I’ll be reading it for sure!



The main characters from the first book (Rachel, Eli, Charles, and Giovanni) are all back. Their lives have greatly changed as Rachel and Eli adjusted to Giovanni’s death. And new characters were added this time as Rachel, Eli, Charles and others seek revenge from those responsible for their great loss. Yet Rachel is haunted by horrible nightmares, hears her name called out in her head.



As before, the characters are well-developed with complicated backgrounds, difficult obstacles to face, intense emotional conflicts, and lots of sexual tension. This is definitely a good book to spend a night reading.

Necessary Madness by Lisabet Sarai



Title: Necessary Madness

Author: Lisabet Sarai

Publisher: Total E-Bound

Publish Date: December 2009

Buy Link

Author Website

Author email: lisabet@lisabetsarai.com

Rating: 4 Diamonds

Heat Level: Erotic

Other: M/M, M/F, BDSM

Reviewer: S. K. Fero

Date: 7-25-10



This is such a combination of story types that it is hard to define. It’s a gay romance, a second chance at love, a first chance at love, a May-December romance, and a paranormal suspense, too.



Kyle McLaughlin is a troubled young psychic who sees visions of disasters. Nobody believes him and his life is getting harder to deal with every day. Then he meets Sgt. Rob Murphy, a cop who has experience with someone from his past who had psychic powers. Rob knows they can be disastrous and wants nothing to do with anyone connected to them. Until he finds Kyle on the street and discovers an immediate attraction to the tortured man thirteen years younger. They struggle with their too-strong-to-resist attraction and with a sadistic practitioner of the black arts.



Overall, this was an enjoyable, hot story involving some complicated characters who face many obstacles to find their happily-ever-after.

Five Leaf Clover by Sandra Sookoo




Title: Five Leaf Clover
Author: Sandra Sookoo
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publication Date: 3-1-2010
ISBN: 978-1-61650-217-1

Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance/ Fantasy
Length: 42 pages
Author Email sandrasookoo@yahoo.com

Heat Level: Sweet
Reviewer: Suki
Date: July 22, 2010


“When it comes to magic and love, which will a leprechaun choose?

Jinx may have a handle on her job as the town’s baker, but it’s the leprechaun jig that’s out of control. She has a tendency to spill coins wherever she goes...not a good thing in a small town.
With big city hotels booked solid for the college basketball tourney, Conor is forced to cools his heels in the tiny town. It’s by pure accident that he stumbles upon Jinx’s secret. He demands three wishes and threatens to hold her hostage unless the curvy redhead complies.
Jinx will need more than the luck of the Irish to convince her sexy suitor she’s not his fortune at the end of the rainbow. Or is Conor the one man who can make her chose love over magic?”

Five Leaf Clover is a sweet, cute story with a great little twist. This St. Patty’s day tale is a quick fun read that will have the reader smiling and chuckling along with Jinx’s attempts to hold Conor to the letter of his wishes. This is the third book in the Holiday Magic Series. I have not had the opportunity to read the first two books and although I hope to soon, I didn’t have any problems reading this one out of order. So this book works well as a stand alone and with the series.


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