Monday Movie Rundown ~ Inherit the Wind #moviereview @meganslayer

 This week I thought I’d talk about an oldie but goodie movie I’ve seen a couple of times, but haven’t watched recently until this past weekend. Inherit the Wind is a must-see movie.

In the movie, which takes place in the early part of the twentieth century, a teacher was taken to task for teaching evolution in school. Now today this would seem ridiculous. We’ve all learned about evolution. We learn science. But all those years ago, the church was the thing and the only way children were taught until secondary school. Science was considered…questionable. Can you imagine questioning science? But arguing that creationism was real…it happened. This movie tells a version (it’s a thinly veiled version of the debates between Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan and the teacher is based on a real person, John Thomas Scopes – hence the references in the marketing material about the Scopes Monkey trial) of the trial involving that teacher and those who wanted to bring him down.

Besides seeing actors I know from other situations – Col Potter from MASH is there, Darren from Bewitched, Mr Roeper from Three’s Company as well as Gene Kelly – there is the fantastic speech given by Spencer Tracy most of the way through the film, was very taxing on Tracy and done in one take. When you consider it was done in one take and all at one time…it boggled my mind.

Although the players in the movie aren’t real, they are based on real people. This movie is one to watch more than once and to discuss. Why? The moral of the story is when we fear something and don’t take the time to try to understand, we just might be hosing ourselves over.

The Actor and Dog off the Chain ~ By @MeganSlayer #mmromance #novel #pets #dogs

Odd title for a blog post, right? I know it is. Follow me here. It’ll make sense in a moment.

When I wrote the book, What’s His Passion? Wild Card, I knew I had two strong characters—Kris and Zayn. I knew they were the focus of the book, but side characters can be just as important.

I’m an animal lover. I really am. Having three cats and three dogs, you could say I live in a zoo. You’d be right. When the mailman knocks on the front door, it’s a five-alarm panic. But I love it and this love showed up in Wild Card. Kris is a wounded man. He needs more than a lover. He needs a few friends, too. My dogs are great companions. They don’t talk back—although I’m convinced some of the barking is sassing—not that I mind. They stay beside me when I’m blue and are great for exercise. So how does this match up to Kris? And why would I bring a dog into a story about a gay man in porn?

In Wild Card, Kris lives in a nice private development, but even in the nicest places, wicked people exist. His next-door neighbor has a dog. You’ve probably seen the type—the dog is constantly outside. There’s no grass under the dog house and the circle he runs. Rain, shine, heat, cold…the dog is there. Kris sees a bit of himself in the dog next door. They’re both wounded. The dog needs attention and love. So does Kris.

So Kris’s in porn. He believes he can reach a little higher in life. He believes the same thing for the dog. They’re kindred spirits. The dog is a pit bull, so people think he’s dangerous. He’s actually very sweet and goofy. But out on the chain, he comes across as scary. He really wants attention. Same thing for Kris. People see the porn actor and think he’s dirty or nasty. He’s so much more once someone unlocks his potential.

Here’s an Easter egg for you—the dog is named Nugent. According to the neighbor, he’s named after Ted Nugent. That’s not where I got the name. I’m a huge Cincinnati Bengals fan and the kicker for the team during the writing of Wild Card happened to be named Nugent. The dog is named after a professional athlete. Grin.

Now I have to admit I’m the kind of person who can’t stand to see the dog/cat/etc hurt in a book or movie. For the dog in Wild Card, the feeling was no different. Nugent is a sweet dog. He and Kris as well as Zayn have to have a happy ending. Want to know what the happy ending is? Then you’ll have to read What’s His Passion? Wild Card. I hope you enjoy the love and the dog.

Here’s a little bit about What’s His Passion? Wild Card:

Following his heart and passion will be his biggest role of all.

Kris Hunter wants out. He’s done pornographic films for the last six years. The pay’s been good, but his creativity is nearly dead. His passion is to act and to be a star on the big screen in mainstream films. When he auditions for famed casting director, Zayn Mason, he’s convinced he’s on the right path. He doesn’t want to take the casting couch route to success, but he certainly wants Zayn in his bed. Can he follow his dreams and the man he desires or will forces beyond his control derail his progress?

Zayn Mason sees the potential in Kris. As a casting director, he looks for the right actor to fill the roles in movies. He’s seen plenty of talent come and go, but no one stirs his soul both creatively and physically like Kris. But Zayn knows the pitfalls of the movie industry. Crossing over from porn isn’t easy and Hollywood isn’t always forgiving. Besides, he’s got demons of his own. Can these men get beyond their pasts and find a future together under the bright lights of the silver screen?

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of voyeurism and intimacy with multiple partners.

Available From Pride Publishing: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/wild-card

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/bzp86n

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CGCVVL6/

Amazon JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01CGCVVL6/

Amazon FR: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B01CGCVVL6/ 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Originally posted at The Paranormal Romantics Blog: https://paranormalromantics.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-actor-and-dog-off-chain-meganslayer.html

Writing, Chaos, Order and a Whole Lot of Pens with @MeganSlayer #iamwriting #planning #posting #writing

 (By Luis Argerich from Buenos Aires, Argentina (Cross Pen) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons)

I love my writing utensils. Love them. I’ve got a pen collection that’s probably out of control. Why? Because when I go somewhere, I want a pen to commemorate being there. Also, they look pretty. I tend to use the ink up in them, too. With my luck, once I decided to display the pens, the one with the ink left in it would explode and I’d have a mess. But that’s my luck.

But this post isn’t about just my love of pens…although based on the photos I added, you’d think it might be. Grin.

I wanted to write today about something that may seem small and silly, but it’s pretty big for me.

(By André (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons)

I’m a stress writer. Yep. I admit it. I am. I tend to know what I want to write and have deadlines, but for whatever reason, I seem to wait until I’m down to the wire before I get things done. That doesn’t mean I’m sitting around doing nothing. No…I’m usually finishing up whatever it was I put off before this project.

It’s not a good thing to do, stress writing. I tend to create these crazy schedules for myself, then stress when I don’t feel like I’m meeting my own deadlines. It’s worse during National Novel Writing Month (NaNo). I usually have a project to finish BEFORE I can start the NaNo one and then I try to get both done y the end of November (that’s the month NaNo takes place in).

(By Europenpen (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons)

Right now, I’m currently trying to wrap up a short for Changeling involving Christmas Magic. I won’t get into the gritty nitty, but it’s short and it’s HAWT. Before that, I finished another Christmas tale for another publisher. Because I love Christmas? Because the stories were begging to be written. Oh, and I’ve got another short planned for once the Changeling book is done. Have I lost my mind? Sometimes it feels like it.

I enjoy Christmas, don’t get me wrong. I love the joy, the togetherness and the fun of the holiday. But it’s July. It’s not entirely hard to think about snow (it’s been well into the 90s for temps here of late),  but I’m not really in the mindset to write Christmas. I won’t lie. When it’s Christmas time, then I’ve got all sorts of ideas for stories. It just happens to be too late or too early to turn them in (depending on who you ask). But the stories I just finished and am working on demanded to be written.

I don’t have big spreadsheets of what needs to be written and when. I might have a schedule that’s in my trusty notebook next to my laptop, but that’s got maybe a week or two out scheduling wise. I let the muse talk and pants my way through most of my stories. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t just write whatever pops into my head from the muse. That’s what ends up in the notebook where I can tweak it first. But it might be May and I’ll have the characters for a Christmas story show up. Or it might be Halloween and I want to write Valentines stories. Although, a mash-up of a Valentine Halloween might be fun.

So while I’m sure I rambled through this post, this is a clue into my writing world. There’s some order and some chaos, but it’s all mine and I own it. I might as well. 🙂

 

 

Cover Reveal Wednesday ~ Must Be Doing Something Right by @WendiZwaduk #mf #erom #lightbdsm #voyeurism

Introducing the brand new cover for Must Be Doing Something Right!!

By Posh Gosh and second edition coming soon from Totally Bound!

Must Be Doing Something Right

Wendi Zwaduk

M/F, Voyeurism, Mild BDSM, Bondage and Anal sex

Totally Bound

Short Story

If she can open her heart, she’ll find he’s her naughtiest dream come true. Being mischievous with him is exactly what she needs.

Nate Waterford knows exactly who he wants in his bed and his heart, but he’s on guard. When women find out his profession, they see dollar signs. He’s been hurt by gold diggers and he’s not about to fall in love – until he sees Courteney. She’s his fantasy come to life and once he gets her in his arms, he’ll be damned before he considers letting her go. Unless she tells him to go to hell first…

Despite her success as a fledgling romance author, Courteney Bennett’s had her share of bad relationships. She’s attracted to her best guy friend, Nate, and she’s not ready to throw a friendship away for one night of passion – even if his idea of desire puts the hottest scenes in her erotica stories to shame.

Is her heart a fair price to pay for an evening to remember or will it be the biggest mistake of her life?

Teaser Tuesday ~ A Sinful Tune by @wendizwaduk #mfm #menage #romance #teaser

A Sinful Tune by Wendi Zwaduk 

Short Story

Totally Bound

M/F/M, M/F, Menage, Anal Sex

Contemporary

 

Two hot rockers and one girl…what could go wrong?

Robbie thought when he formed his band he’d get the girls, the gigs and the money. He’s got the gigs, but the money is a little slower in coming. He’s also got more than a few secrets. He wants the band to succeed, but even more, he wants to find the one woman who can accept him—warts and all, but also with his best friend Dillon involved.

Dillon loves Robbie like a brother. Robbie’s his other half in the music world. He handles the words while Robbie writes the music for the band. But all the music in the world isn’t enough if they don’t have their perfect third—Jess. She hits all the right notes for him and Robbie. The only issue? She may not accept their love in return.

Jess has followed the band for years and worked her way up to selling their merchandise. She knows their music almost as well as they do, but doubts they’d want to be with her. She’s so unlike the other women they’ve had—she’s short, curvy and a purple-haired Goth. When Robbie and Dillon hang out with her after one of the gigs, she has a choice to make. Either head home and wonder or let go of her fears and give the two men of her dreams the chance to make her fantasies come to life.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of double penetration.

Publisher’s Note: This book has previously been released as part of the Three’s a Charm anthology with Totally Bound Publishing.

General Release Date: 22nd August 2017

Look for it here:

https://www.totallybound.com/book/a-sinful-tune

https://books2read.com/u/mZ5wEe

Now for that Teaser!!

(Copyright Wendi Zwaduk, 2017, All Rights Reserved)

“What if we asked her out? We’ve been dancing around it forever. You want her. I do. She likes hanging out with us and she never shies away when we kiss her.” He met Robbie’s gaze. “I’m serious. What if we were the ones who took the first step?”

“And say what?” Robbie frowned. “I like her and would love to snag her between us, but what do we say? ‘Hey, babe. We’ve chosen you. How about it? Do you want to be with us?’ She’d laugh and walk out. What about saying she’d be better off with us on either side? She’d think we were going to use her. She deserves better than a couple of rock and roll wannabes.”

“Well, yeah.” Dillon snorted. “If we approach her like that, then I’d be shocked if she didn’t run away. Finesse would be good.” He rested his arm on Robbie’s shoulder. “Think about it. She’s got that Goth, funky but beautiful look to her. She’s never balked at our behavior, either. She’s a little rough, but dependable.”

“She’s a good worker, sure, but you make her sound like a set of tires.” Robbie shrugged. “I’d love to ask her out, but I’m afraid she’d turn me down. You know me and my life. I’m no good for her. Besides, if she said yes, then how can I be sure she’d consider both of us? I’m not in the mood to put myself out there only to be turned down again. I’d rather be alone.”

“We won’t know until we try.” Dillon hadn’t realized how deep Elaine’s leaving had messed with Robbie until that moment. He hadn’t thought Robbie and Elaine were going to go the distance, but he hadn’t expected her to be so rotten. He’d never heard Robbie mention being happier alone. Robbie was a relationship kind of guy. Then again, so was he. Hell, for all he knew, she could be the one. A vision of her snuggled up between them came to mind. He longed to run his fingers through her purple hair and kiss her breathless. Tingles surged through his body—the thrill of playing music mixed with his desire for Jess. Oh, shit. He only felt that way when he picked up his guitar. Yeah, it was time to speak up.

“Then why don’t we talk to her and try to figure this out…after we play music?”

 

Vampires, Tigers and White Collar? with @MeganSlayer #PNR #vampires #shifters #paranormal

I bet you’re wondering where I got the wacky title for this post. Glad you’re wondering. I’m a visual writer. I’m a visual learner, too. What I mean is, I need visual stimulation when I write. In layman’s terms, I need a hot guy as inspiration for my stories. The guy doesn’t always have to be the same guy. Trust me, the guy changes a lot. From story to story, usually.

For example, when I started the Battle Scarred series, I binge watched the television show, White Collar. Ever heard of it? There’s a guy who is a forger and a thief who ends up working with and for the Feds. From an art perspective, I loved it. I mean, art and a hot guy? I’m in. What really hooked me was the intelligent writing. Oh and Matt Bomer was danged cute. I loved how he pulled off the suits and the fedoras with ease. The more I watched him, the more I could see him—and those blue eyes—as a vampire. But not just any vampire. One that died in the 1940’s and was all about the look. That’s where Kynan, from You Have Me, was born. Kynan’s a dominant man—in and out of the bedroom. He can’t just be there. He’s got to be in charge. That’s where Matt Bomer fit the bill. He can stare at you with those eyes and you’re paralyzed. Okay, maybe I’d be the one who is paralyzed—and drooling—but who’s counting? See? He was just the visual inspiration I needed.

In You Own Me, Kynan’s best friend who also happens to be a tiger shifter, has his turn to tell his story. He’s nothing like Kynan. Where Kynan’s tall, dark and sophisticated, Creighton, my tiger shifter, is bulky, tall and foreboding. Sound like anyone you’ve ever seen? I could say he was inspired by the Rock, but that’s not entirely true. Creighton’s a blond. To a degree, he’s like Jake Gyllenhaal from Prince of Persia, but he’s bigger and blonder. So where exactly did I get the idea for Creighton? Thor. I love my Marvel movies. Love ‘em. I’ve got all but the Hulk on my computer in digital form. When I write, I listen to those movies. So yeah, quite a bit of Thor seeped into Creighton. Hey, he’s a hot guy and I was inspired. Grin. Plus, Creighton’s the kind of guy who fills a room and looks menacing. Chris Hemsworth, aka Thor, does that well. I can never quite tell what he’s thinking, even when he smiles and it’s a little unnerving. But that’s Creighton, too. Big, scary, but a teddy bear in the right circumstances.

There are two more books in the series. Who was the inspiration for each of those stories? Well, you’ll have to keep reading the series and your eyes peeled for more posts to find out.

 

You can learn more about You Own Me right here: http://www.loose-id.com/battle-scarred-2-you-own-me.html

Learn more about You Have Me right here: http://www.loose-id.com/battle-scarred-1-you-have-me.html Here: http://www.amazon.com/You-Have-Battle-Scarred-Book-ebook/dp/B01ATV40QY/ref=sr_1_21?ie=UTF8&qid=1454465831&sr=8-21&keywords=megan+slayer

This post is also up at the Romance Studio 🙂

Friday Flirt ~ Giving In by @MeganSlayer #mmromance #mm #romance

Time for the Friday Flirt! Enjoy this snippet from my recent release, Giving In, featuring a naughty drink, two guys who want to be together but crossed their wires, and a chance to find out if the sparks are real.

Giving In By Megan Slayer 

A Shimmer Story

M/M, Anal Sex

Contemporary

From MLR Press

MLR Press: https://www.mlrbooks.com/Bookstore.php?bookid=MSGIVEIN

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/mBeEZD

Mix two guys with simmering desire and add the new drink, Shimmer. What could go wrong?

Ronan’s been more than a little in love with Jaxon since they met four years ago. He wants a romantic relationship with his best friend, but they’re opposites. Jaxon’s bookish, quiet and observational, but Ronan’s the epitome of attention-seeking. Besides, Jaxon’s just out of a relationship. Would he want to start another love match, but this time with Ronan?

Jaxon knows how he feels about Ronan. He’d like to strip him down and kiss every tattooed and pierced inch of him. The thing is, he’s worried he’ll screw up the friendship if the romance fails.

The bar is closed for the night and there’s two shots of Shimmer left. So Shimmer creates a different sensation for each drinker. So it can cause unexpected results. It can’t make two guys on the verge of love fall for each other…can it?

Now for that Flirt!

©Megan Slayer, 2017, All Rights Reserved

“So there’s not much Shimmer left?”

“Like two shots at most.” He washed the rest of the glasses. “Did you want to try it?”

“Might as well. We’re supposed to push it. We should know what it tastes like and what it can do.” Ronan turned two of the ice-ball glasses over. “Fill ’er up. One for you and one for me. What do you

want to mix it with? I can’t remember half of the combinations.”

“What do you want to add? It’s your drink and your experience.” His hands shook. What the hell? He wasn’t a big drinker. Beer made him sick and the fruity drinks had too much sugar. For a guy who worked at a bar, he wasn’t much of an alcohol connoisseur.

“I’m going to mix mine with cola.” It worked with rum. Why not Shimmer?

“Hmm…I think…” Ronan picked up the soda hose. “Lemon-lime.” He poured the clear soda into one glass, then added cola to Jaxon’s. “You add the Shimmer.”

“Sure.” He poured the liquor into the glasses. “Ready?” He picked up his. “Should we toast?”

“Why not?” Ronan grinned. He licked his lips and screwed his face up as he seemed to consider what to say. “How about…to our health, friendship, and great sex. Bottoms up.”

Jaxon downed the drink and ignored the way Ronan’s words made him feel. Great sex. With him? He wasn’t sure. The booze burned on the way down. Shit. He should’ve asked someone how Shimmer and

cola made them react.

“Wow.” Ronan smacked his lips. “That’s awesome. It tingles.”

“The carbonation does that.” He finished his drink and turned away from Ronan. His brain buzzed—or was that the liquor? He wasn’t sure. Holy hell. Blood thrummed through his body. He shifted his hips. His cock throbbed. Was that the tightness of his jeans or the booze? Shimmer couldn’t be affecting him. Nah. He had control of himself.

“Hey, Jax?” Ronan gripped Jaxon’s shoulder. “Is this stuff supposed to make you hot?”

“Huh?” He turned around. “Like how? Is your tongue burning?”

“Kind of.” Ronan poured some more lemon-lime soda, then downed it. “Yeah, this isn’t making me hot.” He frowned. “Did anyone else order Shimmer the way I did?”

“I don’t know. Even if I remembered how it was ordered, I didn’t ask anyone.” Jaxon dropped his glass into the soapy water.

“Jaxon?”

He stared at his friend. “I’m the only other person in the bar. What?”

Ronan’s eyes widened. “I like you and want to fuck you.”

Random Thought ~ Reused Actors and When the Plot Falls Apart

First of all, I have to start by saying this post concerns movies. All the way around, it concerns movies.

I’ve been watching the Christmas in July movies on the Hallmark channel. Why? To get into the Christmas headspace to write Christmas stories. Grin. I know when I watch these movies, I’m going to get a happy ending and there will be tension, but the plot is what matters–not the hot stuff or stolen kisses.

Don’t get me wrong. I wish there were a few more stolen kisses and hot moments. I’d love to see them ramp up the sexual tension. No one has to be bound or spanked, but a little heat wouldn’t hurt.

But the thing that’s bothered me this Christmas in July season isn’t that I’m dying for Christmas cookies or a break in the hot temps. Nope. It’s the reusing of actors and the plot holes.

The reusing of actors wouldn’t be bad, but after a while all I can see is who they played in previous movies. Oh, she was a princess in that one. He was a prince, then a plumber, then a corporate raider. I don’t see the character, I see the actor and that ruins the fun of the flick. It kind of drives me crazy.

Then there are the plot problems. How come the boyfriend just let her go? Why didn’t he put up more of an argument? Why didn’t the guy try harder? Why, if he loves her, didn’t he go caveman? Why didn’t she stick up for herself? Why when she DOES stick up for herself, do the powers that be make her look so…cranky?

Maybe I’m too picky as a viewer. Maybe I want too much. Maybe I’m seeing things that aren’t there and hoping for what I’d rather see. I’m not sure.

Do you have those things that drive you nuts about movies? About the all weekend sprees of movies on the same theme? I’d love to know.

Book Review ~ Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

On highways across America, a tribe of people called the True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless—mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and spunky twelve-year-old Abra Stone learns, the True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the steam that children with the shining produce when they are slowly tortured to death.

Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel, where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father’s legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles in a New Hampshire town, an AA community that sustains him, and a job at a nursing home where his remnant shining power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes “Doctor Sleep.”

Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan’s own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra’s soul and survival. This is an epic war between good and evil, glorious story that will thrill the millions of devoted readers of The Shining and satisfy anyone new to this icon in the Stephen King canon.

I’ve devoured all of Stephen King’s books, save for the Dark Tower series. I knew this one would be a follow-up to The Shining. I’d loved that book and yeah, it creeped me out. I hoped this one would do the same thing.

The spook factor was there, but not the traditional jump out at you kind of one. This creep factor was in the scariness of real things. Like the caravans of RVs going down the road. If you let your imagination go and look at them as the True Knot, then that’s kind of creepy. I can’t listen to “Not a Second Time” by the Beatles without thinking of the little girl singing the song in the middle of the night.

The writing was great, as per his books, and I raced right through it. I wanted to know what would happen next for Abra and Dan.

I know this book won’t be for everyone. Those wanting the big screams may not get what they want. Those expecting old King, might not be thrilled, but I was. I enjoyed the story and how the tale ended. Try it. You might like it, too.

 

 

 

Tuesday Teaser ~ A Visit from the Cover Faery! @wendiZwaduk @MeganSlayer #coverart

The cover faery was very kind to me over the last month. I’m so excited to share these covers with you!! Made by Posh Gosh for my Totally Bound releases of Drawn Together and Written Togehter (both formerly Ellora’s Cave titles)…enjoy!!

I love them. What do you think? Want to know more about the books?

Drawn Together

His perfect match is in the last place he expects—across the courtyard.

           Graig Case wants to teach history and coach baseball. Plain and simple. But nothing in his life has been simple. He’s also got a secret. He loves to watch the sexy woman across the courtyard dance. He’d love for his fantasy girl to be his best friend, but fantasy and reality don’t always mix.

Tessa Martin has given up on love. She’s played second fiddle most of her life. Guys like hanging out with her. Being one of the guys doesn’t keep her warm at night. Still, she indulges in her one treat—dancing for Graig. No emotions involved means no one gets hurt.

Except when they end up working in the same school in the same hallway…then all bets are off.* * * * *

Written Together

What if the woman he needs is the one he thought was out of his league?

             Adam Pallas knows what he wants out of life—to teach history, to be happy and to have a hot woman by his side. He’s got one out of the three. He should be happy, but he’s not. There’s one woman who grabs his attention every time. The catch? She’s very much out of his league. Can being himself actually snag the woman of his dreams?

Melissa Murphy isn’t looking for love, but every time she sees Adam her plans go sideways. The English teacher knows there’s a confident, hot man hiding behind the slightly nerdy history buff façade. But her past and the things she wants between the sheets tend to scare men off. She believes the odds may be stacked against them. But it turns out that their lives might just be perfectly written together.