Thursday, February 13, 2014

When Will I See You Again...


Today Julie Lynn Hayes treats us to an interview with the delightful Alexx from When Will I See You Again.
 
What is your name and occupation? Alexx Jameson. I work at the Crescent Bay Chronicle.  In the mail room, right now, but I hope to become a reporter there some day.

How old are you? *looks nervously around* Twenty. Almost twenty-one. Well, next Halloween, actually.

How did you come by your current occupation? When I first moved to Crescent Bay, I got lucky, and I ran into the editor, Mr. Randolph. One thing led to another and he gave me a job.

Do you like your job? Why or why not? I love my job. I became best friends with the receptionist. His name is Miller. I like everyone there. Well, almost everyone. I’m not really all that fond of Price Chancellor, I have to admit. He’s a news reporter, and a bit of a diva. But honestly, most people aren’t fond of him, and I think the only person he really cares for is himself.

Who is the person/creature you dislike the most? I guess that would be Price.  *laughs*

Who is the person/creature you respect the most? I respect Mr. Randolph a lot. I’m grateful to him for giving me a job, and for giving me a chance to show that I can be a reporter and not just the mail room guy. I think he’s what makes the Chronicle the great newspaper it is. Okay, maybe it’s not the Times or the Tribune or anything, but it’s perfect for Crescent Bay.

Is there anyone special in your life? Well,  yeah. Kinda sorta. I mean there’s someone I’m attracted to. But who isn’t? His name is Raoul Marchand. Yes, one of those Marchands. Most famous supernatural family in Crescent Bay. And he’s drop-dead gorgeous. Of course, it’s ridiculous to think that he and I... that him and me... oh never mind, just wishful thinking.

What’s your favorite meal, and do you fix it yourself or have someone fix it for you? I live in a boarding house, actually, and while I do have kitchen privileges, I try not to abuse them, so I’m more of a microwave meal kind of guy. Usually I do stuff I don’t have to cook, and cheap take-out.

Favorite color? I don’t really have one. I think all colors are pretty.

Football or baseball? I’m not really into sports.

Favorite exercise? Writing?

If you had one wish, what would it be? That’s a hard one. If you’d asked me that before, I’d have said becoming a reporter was my biggest wish. But since meeting Raoul... I just want him to be... well, happy. And safe. Does that sound too corny? I just worry, that’s all. I know I don’t have a chance with him, but I hope he meets someone that will be good for him and not just use him for who he is.

What makes this Raoul so special to you?

Well, he’s drop dead gorgeous. But it’s more than that. There’s something inside of him, something I can’t explain. Something I want to get to know. I want to ease his suffering, make him feel good about himself and the world around him. I know, I know, he has it all now—looks, family, money, position. What more could he want? But I think he’s not happy. I just want to make him happy.

When Will I See You Again takes place in a time when the presence of werewolves and vampires among the general populace is known and accepted, largely because of drugs that control any baser animal instincts. SL57 is the werewolf wonder drug, short for SomnioLupus, otherwise known as Wolf Trank. In the small seaside town of Crescent Bay, people come to the famous nightclub Charisma, mostly because of the charismatic man who is one of the best-known supes in the area: Raoul Marchand. Raoul is a regular party animal, one who lives but to have a good time, and who cares for no one and nothing. But he hasn’t always been this way...

 BLURB: Raoul Marchand is the crown prince of Charisma, the infamous night club in Crescent Bay, renowned for its supernatural clientele. He has the pick of any and all men, but he cares for none. He uses them and throws them away again, and has done so for some twenty years, in the aftermath of a tragedy that robbed him of what he loved most in the world.
Alexx Jameson is an idealistic young would-be reporter with the Crescent Bay Chronicle. Presented with an opportunity to write a story on the Marchands, he eagerly grasps the chance to be a real reporter. His friend, Chronicle receptionist Miller Fenwick, suggests they go to Charisma to do a little research. Alexx isn’t sure that’s such a great idea. After all, he’s still under age, being only twenty. No problem, Miller can fix that! Added bonus, there’s a full moon tonight.
When Alexx first encounters Raoul, it isn’t exactly in the way he dreamed of, and he’s sure he made a terrible first impression. But Fate throws them together under unforeseen circumstances, and the attraction between them can’t be denied. Can Raoul let go of the past long enough to find his future with Alexx, or is he doomed to repeat past mistakes?

Excerpt:
Alexx drew in his breath in dismay. This wasn’t going well. Even so, he could not stop staring at Raoul. His eyes met the other man’s. Raoul’s were very golden; he wasn’t aware such colors even existed in the spectrum of the human eye. But then again, he didn’t have any friends that were werewolves either. He wondered if this was a sign that perhaps this man was about to change, right here and now?
The thought was both exhilarating and frightening.
Alexx’s vision telescoped until he wasn’t aware of anything but this gorgeous man in front of him. Blood pounded in his ears and his mouth felt suddenly dry. Having lost all sense of the others in the room, he was surprised when he felt his chair yanked out from under him. Before he could fall, a hand grabbed the scruff of his neck, propelling him to his feet. He glanced at his companion; Miller was being subjected to the same surly treatment.
“You waste my time for this?” Raoul’s upper lip curled back in a snarl. Alexx found himself wildly attracted to him. “I have somewhere I need to be. Paolo, please show these gentlemen out.” Sarcastic much? He turned and reached for the door, but it opened before he touched it.
A shaggy blond with hazel eyes and a cheerful countenance stuck his head inside. “Hey Paolo—” He interrupted himself at the sight of the occupants of the room.
Alexx heard Miller’s sigh of relief, even as he too recognized the newcomer. He’d seen him around the Chronicle often enough, although he’d never really spoken to him. Foster Levine, son of the Chronicle’s owner—heir apparent and future newspaper magnate.
Alexx’s relief quickly changed to anxiety. What if Foster knew how old he really was? He couldn’t be sure one way or the other, but for the sake of argument, he had to assume he did. Would he out him to Raoul Marchand and his burly minion? Had they simply jumped from the frying pan to be scorched by the fire?
~*~
Author Bio:
Julie Lynn Hayes was reading at the age of two and writing by the age of nine and always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Two marriages, five children, and more than forty years later, that is still her dream. She blames her younger daughters for introducing her to yaoi and the world of M/M love, a world which has captured her imagination and her heart and fueled her writing in ways she'd never dreamed of before. She especially loves stories of two men finding true love and happiness in one another's arms and is a great believer in the happily ever after. She lives in St. Louis with her daughter Sarah and two cats, loves books and movies, and hopes to be a world traveler some day. She enjoys crafts, such as crocheting and cross stitch, knitting and needlepoint and loves to cook. While working a temporary day job, she continues to write her books and stories and reviews, which she posts in various places on the internet. Her family thinks she is a bit off, but she doesn't mind. Marching to the beat of one's own drummer is a good thing, after all.  Her published works can be found at Amber Quill Press, Dreamspinner Press, MuseitUp Publishing, Torquere Press, and eXtasy Books. She is also an editor at MuseitUp.  

Julie's links:
Twitter: @Shelley_runyon
Email: tothewolf.max@gmail.com

 

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Twelve Random Things About Me

Thought I’d let you guys in on a few details about me—some more interesting than others.

1.     Light roast coffee. One cup in the morning.
 
2.     Last song added to ipod: Eli Lieb—cover of “Wrecking Ball.”
 
3.     There are more than six hundred books on my Kindle.
 
4.     Pop is a rarity for me. Usually in July when it’s hot and I’m driving.
 
5.     I keep paper and pen by the bed for those borderline conscious epiphanies.
 
6.     Jeans, not khakis.
 
7.     I love Clementine oranges.
 
8.     Two cats—one is a Maine Coon and weighs twenty pounds!
 
9.     Boxer briefs, not boxers or briefs—for the characters, that is.
 
10.  I read my first M/M book in 2008—Josh Lanyon.
 
11.  I prefer room service to a tent in the woods.
 
12.  I grew up skiing, but haven’t been in years.
 
 
Tell me something unique about yourself!