May is I :::heart::: the short story month at my blog. During these next thirty-one days, I’ll be featuring authors of the short story, besides the usual blog posts. Today, I have author Valerie J. Long in the interview chair. We’re discussing her short story We is Hot, an erotic romance. Be sure to check out the excerpt.
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1. What drew you to writing the short story?
Valerie: Of course I liked to confuse my editor-in-chief with the subtle grammar specials.
2. What do you like most about writing short stories?
Valerie: Getting right to the action, and creating a universe with just a few words.
3. What do you like least about writing short stories?
Valerie: They’re over way too fast.
4. Why did you write this short story you are featuring?
Valerie: Well, basically my protagonist asked me to put it to paper – or e-paper in this case – and I couldn’t deny.
5. Why do you think readers should invest their time in reading the short story?
Valerie: Because it’s entertaining and surprising and creepy and because it’s extremely hot.
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Title: We is Hot
Series: N/A
Author: Valerie J. Long
Genre: Erotic Romance, Fantasy, Shapeshifter
Heat Rating: 5 Flames
Release Date: June 19, 2011
Publisher: eXtasy Books
Blurb: We came to this world to spend ultimate joy, only the pleasures without the pain, and no undesired side effects. So what have we done wrong to make the powers that be send a killer on our heels?
A group of old ladies occupying the entire width of the trail shouted their indignant protests after us when we forced our way past them. What must they think of a young woman in a flimsy short summer dress running past them on bare feet? We couldn’t care less.
Next time we’ll take our prey to a backyard or up on a roof. Would there be a next time? Not if we don’t focus on running. The unpaved trail with its pointy rubble was unpleasant enough to walk on with bare feet, and running was even more so, but a sprained ankle wouldn’t do us any good right now.
We felt a shiver. It was probing again, but not as close as we had feared.
Then we saw the paved road ahead.
No! Keep watching out!
We’d almost missed a root in our way, barely managed to set our foot past it and hold our balance. A few more steps, then we felt the relief of even ground. No reason to slow down, it’s still after us!
But gaining distance would be of no effect if our trail was covered with our own blood. We had to check our sore feet.
Thank Rhea again, luck hadn’t deserted us—no open wound, only bruises.
Luck, bah! We were still on the run from one of the most dangerous creatures in the realms! And why? What had they done? What had we done that they had decided to send a Banshee killer after us?
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I was born in Germany in the sixties of the last century. I am working as an IT Project Manager for an international company, and I live in Wiesbaden. I’ve chosen a pen name for two reasons. First I know my real name is too difficult to pronounce for most of the world. Second—as an IT person I know about the dangers of too much internet exposure. As a writer, I need a lot of exposure, and the pen name will retain a little privacy for me.
I read a lot. My bookshelves are overloaded with surely more than 2’000 books, mostly fantasy and science fiction. Among my favorites are J. R. R. Tolkien, Robert Heinlein, Alan Dean Foster and David Weber, only to mention a few. You bet I’ve grown up with Captain Kirk and Luke Skywalker, but I’ve also digested «Barbarella» and «Logan’s run»…
I am a fan of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, I like Alien, Sin City or Kill Bill, but I also enjoy watching Notting Hill.
I also travel a lot. If you read my stories and think—oops, she must know that place well—maybe you’re right, I’ve been there before.
Find Valerie: Web Site | Facebook Page | Goodreads | eXtasy Books | Night Owl Reviews
Maggie Blackbird 