Lisa M. Owens shares what happens If Only…

Please welcome my special guest today, author Lisa M. Owens. Do you ever wish life had an “Undo” button like your computer so you could reverse your mistakes? Maybe an Omega 13 device like in the movie Galaxy Quest? Lisa is here to talk about time travel in her book, If Only, and the difficulties of classifying a novel like this. Take it away, Lisa.

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The Fine Line Between Paranormal and Science Fiction

My Thoughts On Writing A Time Travel Novel – by Lisa M. Owens

Okay. My novel is finished. It has been published.

Now what the hell is the genre?

Describing it as a Contemporary Romance is easy enough. The time travel element, though, can get a little tricky. Could it be called Paranormal? Or would it be Science Fiction? The lines can be so blurry that it can be quite difficult to tell.

I have always been fascinated with the concept of time travel. Whether it is someone coming to Earth visiting from the future or delving back through your past, those kinds of stories have always intrigued me. So what made me decide to write one?

Bree Sexton is a woman who made one decision that she has always regretted. I knew that I wanted her to get the chance to right this wrong, but to do so, she would have to find a way to go back in time to change her decision. But how should I send her back in time? I struggled with this idea for a few days, turning different scenarios around in my head, before I finally decided, committing my idea to paper.

I thought of everything from a horrific car accident to getting trampled on by a horse. (Not kidding!) I had even entertained the thought of her being in a coma and dreaming the entire thing. But where would my happy ending be then? Nothing would have changed from the beginning of my story, and I didn’t want that!

But I didn’t want her to be hovering on the brink of death and I didn’t want her seriously injured. So I thought again.

What if on the night of her divorce from Mr. Wrong she is out with friends and runs into the man she left behind? How would she feel seeing him again? How would she feel if he was happily married to someone else? And what if she had the chance to see what it would have been like if she had married him instead?

Those were some of the questions that consumed my thoughts and If Only was born. After I had my basic storyline thought through, I wrote the entire first chapter that very night. When I first started, I had no idea that it would ever get published. I never even realized that I would ever finish it. It was just a crazy idea I had that haunted my thoughts.

This story spoke to me and Bree Sexton ended up being a persistent woman! She demanded that her story be told. And apparently, she had chosen me to tell it!

The woman turned out to be every bit as stubborn as I am!

So is my story Paranormal or Science Fiction?

I think I will allow the readers to tell me!

 

Blurb:

What would you do if you had the opportunity to go back and relive your greatest mistake?

Five years ago, Bree Sexton walked out on her fiancé and into the arms of a charming and handsome stranger. She has regretted her decision ever since. Instead of a fairy-tale marriage, her “prince” shattered her dreams and her spirit with physical violence and emotional cruelty she barely escaped.

She then mysteriously wakes up in bed with the fiancé she loved and left, the life she’d dreamed of now a reality, until her cruel ex-husband reappears to destroy her new life. But what is real, and what is make-believe? Is she really getting the chance she has always dreamed of? And when it is all said and done, will she finally end up with the man she has always regretted leaving? Or will she wake up to discover herself alone?

 

Excerpt:

Bree stood there for a minute, watching as he walked out of her life. She couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if she had married Scott instead of Bryan. How would her life have been different? Would she have had children by now? Would she and Scott still be together, after all this time? Those thoughts and more weighed heavily on her mind as she headed out of the bar. It had begun to snow, and she wrapped her coat even tighter around her slender frame. She looked around, but there was no one to be found. She couldn’t help herself; she stuck out her tongue, a childish impulse she couldn’t ignore, and then laughed out loud in spite of herself.

She looked both ways before attempting to cross the street. Not seeing any cars, she began to make her way across. Bree was walking cautiously when one of her high heels slipped on a patch of ice. She could feel herself falling, and her breathing quickened as she began to panic, wishing she had waited for her friends before venturing off on her own. One shoe flew off as she landed, her head striking the curb. A sharp pain racked through the back of her skull, causing her to cry out. The last thing she saw was Scott’s face swimming before her eyes, and then her world went black.

Bree awoke to a man nipping gently on her earlobe, his tongue stroking the delicate curves. His hot breath blew into her ear, sending shivers up and down her spine. She slowly opened her eyes as a man’s hand stroked her upper thigh, and she sighed happily.

Ooh, I must be dreaming. And it was such a delicious dream, too.

The man’s hand traveled up her thigh and then encircled her flat stomach. Out of the corner of her eyes, Bree could see a dark head pressing against her abdomen. Then she shivered as a tongue laved her belly button, going in and out erotically, making her feel as though her body was on fire. Bryan had never made her feel like this, and she hadn’t even looked yet to see who this stranger was! But she was only dreaming, so what difference did it make?

His hand continued traveling north, lovingly caressing her skin. He reached for her aching breasts, pressing her nipples roughly before he lowered his mouth to suckle them, first one, and then the other. Bree arched in anxious response to his touch. She longed to see his face, but she feared one look would make his magical touch disappear.

She ached all over, wanted his hands to caress her everywhere, and she longed to touch him. She opened her legs as he straddled her. His hair brushed her naked chest as he began kissing her. His tongue was driving her crazy with desire as he placed tender kisses along her neckline. He brushed her hair aside.

His morning stubble stung her delicate skin, but she hungered for more. Just one more touch, just one more taste, and she would awaken from this wonderful dream and find herself in bed, all alone.

“Oh, Bree, baby. What you do to me,” he whispered, his voice husky.

That voice jerked her back to the present. The voice had haunted her dreams for years. The voice of the man she just couldn’t seem to get over.

“Scott,” she whispered.

 

About the Author

The writing bug bit Lisa M. Owens at an early age; she was writing short stories and poetry by the age of seven. At the age of eight, she entered a writing contest at her elementary school. About fifty books were written, but Lisa was one of the thirteen writers chosen who received a certificate and the chance to meet Oklahoma writer Sandy Miller.

A former victim of domestic violence herself, Lisa worked at the courthouse for over seven years. Almost three of those years she worked on the Marriage License/Protective Order desk. She helped women file protective orders and worked closely with the staff and counselors at DVIS.

Frustrated with books that merely gloss over the subject of domestic violence, Lisa wanted to write a book that told the entire story. Her dream is for her words to help give someone the courage to leave an abusive relationship.

She resides in Oklahoma and has two children. This is her first published novel, and she is currently working on the next novel of her If Only series.

Lisa enjoys hearing from her readers and can be reached at P.O. Box 9643, Tulsa, OK 74157-0643, or by e-mail, lisamowens@ymail.com. She can also be contacted on her website, www.lmowens.com.

 

Links to find Lisa

http://www.lmowens.com/

https://twitter.com/_lisamowens

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-M-Owens-Author-Page/401065116637549

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6884569.Lisa_M_Owens

 

Buy If Only

http://www.lsbooks.com/lisa-m-owens-c343.php

http://www.amazon.com/If-Only-  ebook/dp/B00ASOMPH4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356572772&sr=1-1&keywords=If+Only+by+Lisa+M.+Owens

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-only-lisa-m-owens/1114147612?ean=9781595789891

 

Thank you so much Allie for having me! I am currently working on two new novels, one is the continuation of my If Only series, about a woman who chose love over money and years later, wonders what her life would have been like if she had married for money instead. The other is the story of a Marine who returns home to find that things aren’t the way they were when he left. He finds love in the most unlikeliest of places.

Contract for In Season

There are still edits and a whole lot of work ahead, but I’m excited to announce that I’ve just signed a contract with Liquid Silver
Books for the sequel to Mating Season. Readers asked for it, and they got it. Tentatively titled In Season, this Quick Silver work (short novella) tells how Gilby finds love in the form of a shifter with a…well, a shifting problem. Be sure to check back in the months ahead for updates. I’ll put this work on my Books & Trailers page as soon as I have a release date and blurb.

Character Profiles: Sunburn by Rosanna Leo

Patience O’Conner is a travel blogger who lives for her work. Her dedication to her readers brings her to the famed Helios Resort in Mexico, a locale that stuns her with its beauty but at which she suffers from some very strange accidents.
Luckily, hunky resort bartender Apollo Delos is always there in the nick of time, a malcontent guardian angel. Apollo stuns Patience again and again with his life-saving abilities, to say nothing of his smoldering looks and apparent desire to keep her alive.

Before long, Patience wonders if there is more to the sexy bartender than mixed cocktails and insane first-aid skills. Something strange is happening at Helios and Apollo doesn’t want to talk about it.

Can Patience open herself up to this enigmatic man, even though she is terrified to be vulnerable again? And can Apollo recover from an eternity of hurt and learn to trust once more? They must both decide before Death comes calling. 

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I’m very excited to have author Rosanna Leo here today to talk about Apollo and Patience from her book, Sunburn, which is the third book in her Greek god series. Many of you are probably familiar with Rosanna’s work since she’s written several hits, including For The Love Of A God, Sweet Hell, The Selkie, and the ARe bestseller, Up In Flames. Without further ado, here’s Apollo and Patience.

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Apollo Delos

(otherwise known as the Greek god of the sun)

Physical description (in Patience’s POV): There was a man in front of them holding a tray laden with icy drinks the color of a coral sunrise. And he was even more beautiful than the drinks. Maybe six five, and he appeared as broad as he was tall. Short, blond waves. Eyes the color of blue diamonds. Lips so luscious and full. She knew women who’d pay good money to get injections that would produce lips like that.

Despite her better judgment, Patience allowed her gaze to drop. He wasn’t wearing much. Board shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt that looked as if he’d distressed it over time. The first thing that hit her was the size of his shoulders. She had to forcibly move her gaze so it wouldn’t get stuck on those massive, golden muscles. And of course, they were merely ornamentation for an already sculpted chest and arms. Hating herself for being weak, she glanced lower, taking in the line of his powerful thighs through his shorts. His calves were equally scrumptious: muscled and hard. Even his feet were perfect, clean and buffed, clad as they were in blue flip-flops that matched his shirt.

He was an altogether divine specimen.

Quote: “Okay, I know the drill. This is the part where you run away. The part where you scream in horror, rather than sit here and talk. I know how I must look to you. I’m a monstrosity. Unnatural. I terrify you. I understand what you’re thinking. I’ve done it all before, many times I assure you. So, if you’d like to get a little head start, door’s open. I won’t stand in your way, and I won’t bother you again. It’s been nice knowing you, Patience.”

Patience O’Connor

Physical description (in Apollo’s POV): She was wearing a tiny bikini, barely three triangles of bright orange fabric joined by the skimpiest of strings. Her brown waves were pulled into a ponytail and trailed over one shoulder. She was wobbling again, wearing those silly heels she couldn’t walk in. Despite those heels, the picture was still making his mouth water. His gaze trailed over the soft curves of her body. Her breasts were full and luscious, practically spilling out of her bikini top. She’d crossed her arms, clearly in an effort to hide her boobs, but that only succeeded in deepening her already ample cleavage. Her hips were gorgeous and round, no sharp bones jutting out, unlike her friends’ figures. All softness. And he noticed, as his eyes fluttered, she had a sweet, little belly. Not big, but enough roundness there that her bikini bottom was cutting into it, creating a sexy pocket of womanly flesh. Light-headed, he realized it was the sort of belly he could lose himself in. The sort he loved kissing and sucking.

So help him, he’d never liked bony girls. He loved them full and buxom. This Patience took the cake on buxom.

Quote: “Yeah. I failed R&R in school. I was too busy studying for my anal retention classes.”

***

Excerpt from Sunburn:

She approached the booth, only to find the blond bartender manning it. Her eyes almost popped and she blurted, “You!”

He grinned, but there was still a tightness around his eyes, as if he were sizing her up. “Hello, Patience.” His strained expression said volumes about what he considered to be the unsuitability of her name.

She tried to ignore the sucker punch in her gut, the one that hit her as soon as his deep, velvety voice caressed her eardrums. “Aren’t you supposed to be at the bar?”

His smile grew wider, showing off his perfect white teeth. “I’m everywhere.”

“Clearly.” She forced herself to look away from his gorgeous face, feeling light-headed because of the suns dancing in her eyes, the suns that seemed to come from him. To distract herself, she touched a few of the painted bowls on display. Not that it snuffed out those blasted suns.

He stepped closer. “Do you see anything you like?”

She choked on her saliva and coughed like a victim of the Black Death. He rushed to calm her, putting his hand on her back, massaging. She recovered upon feeling his touch and was hit by the bizarre, fleeting notion his touch made her recover. As if he’d healed her.

Utter nonsense. Yet as much as it was nonsense, her head swam with the bizarre possibility.

“Better?” he asked quietly, his face serious now.

She stared into the man’s eyes. They were blue, so very blue. “Uh, yeah, thanks.” Curiosity got the better of her and the question poured out. “What’s your name anyway?”

He breathed in. “Apollo Delos.”

“Oh, wow,” she said, breaking into a grin. “Just like Apolo Anton Ohno! I loved him on Dancing with the Stars!”

He got a curious look and let out a strange laugh. “Yeah. Just like him.”

Sunburn is available at http://www.lsbooks.com/sunburn-p743.php

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BIO:

Rosanna Leo is a multi-published, erotic romance author with Liquid Silver Books. Her books include For the Love of a God, Up In Flames, Sweet Hell, The Selkie and her newest, Sunburn. When not writing, she can be found haunting dusty library stacks or planning her next star-crossed love affair.

www.rosannaleo.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/LeoRosanna

www.facebook.com/rleoauthor1

www.pinterest.com/rosannaleo/

http://www.goodreads.com/Rosanna_Leo

Trivia Question #102 – Answer

Q:  In Layne Blacque’s Breaking Becky, why does Becky fail to become a rich doctor’s trophy wife?

A:  (D) the doctor is devoted to his reputation and wife

This book is available at Liquid Silver Books at http://www.lsbooks.com/breaking-becky-p128.php

Trivia Question #99 – Answer

Q:  In Leigh Wyndfield’s Spies and Lovers, the heroine, Chilly Winthrop, goes undercover as a what?

A:  (B) prostitute

This book is available at Liquid Silver Books at http://www.lsbooks.com/spies-and-lovers-p514.php

Trivia Question #94 – Answer

Q:  In Anne Cain’s novel, Alliances, what is Jaya?

A:  (A) a sorceress

This book is available at Liquid Silver Books at http://www.lsbooks.com/alliances-p60.php

Why you should join Alien Sex Ed

Alien Sex 104, the final book of my erotic sci-fi romance series (Alien Sex Ed) is out now from Liquid Silver Books. You can read Alien Sex 104 as a standalone or enjoy the series as a whole. Either way, if you enjoy molten hot romance, you’ll want to try Alien Sex Ed.

Here are a few of the reasons:

1.  Sci-fi romance lovers will find enough futuristic elements to satisfy them, but the plots of the Alien Sex Ed series aren’t bogged down with too many setting details like space ships and ray guns. So if you don’t like struggling through a lot of made-up words and sci-fi tech explanations, have no fear. There are some bizarre aliens in this series, but they’re no stranger than a lot of the supernatural beings you find in paranormal romance. In fact, there’s sometimes a fine line between the genres of paranormal and sci-fi romance.

2.  In the realm of speculative fiction, the heroes and heroines are not confined to ordinary sex. They can have extraordinary sex! In Alien Sex 101, this means a hero whose penis vibrates. In Alien Sex 102, I doubled Krux’s hands to double Katra’s pleasure, and Spri can form a psychic link with her partner. Benni in Alien Sex 103 is a natural contortionist, while Zeo releases a special pheromone. If that’s not enough for you, then Lexy in Alien Sex 104 can switch genders.

3.  More bang for your buck. Each book in this series consists of two separate but related romances. Although I could have broken the books into eight novellas instead of four novels, I wanted to offer more to the readers and make it easier to follow along. The students of the Alien Sex Ed class each find love along the way and get their own story. There is a great deal of diversity among them (age, race, personality, etc.), so there should be something for everybody.

 Come give Alien Sex Ed a chance. You know you want to

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Blurb for Alien Sex 104:

Huv has always liked the ladies, but he’s getting to the age when he’s ready for more than one-night stands. After meeting Lexy, he finds it very easy to fall for the sexy alien in her female form, but that’s only half the equation. Lexy is Cedecian. Every month, her race changes genders. Huv suffers a sexual identity crisis as he struggles to accept that the woman he loves may also be the man he loves. For an Allurian who is used to being strictly straight, it’s an adjustment Huv isn’t sure he can make.

Expecting Glynn to pop the question, Deina is shocked when he instead asks her to have his baby … or at least try. As a Semhym, Glynn must find a woman with just the right chemistry to help him spill his seed before it’s too late. He thinks Deina may be the one, but he wants to be sure. In order to win her over, he’ll have to gamble for the highest stakes of all: sex, love, and the rest of their lives.

This book contains a bisexual alien who changes gender every month, anal sex, a hot pink dildo, and a medical scanner gone awry.

Buy Link for Alien Sex 104: http://www.lsbooks.com/alien-sex-104-p749.php

Trivia Question #92 – Answer

Q:  In K. Z. Snow’s work, Fugly, Todd, Fallon, and Jake are known as the what?

A:  (D) Hunt Club

This book is available from Liquid Silver Books at http://www.lsbooks.com/fugly-p253.php

Trivia Question #91 – Answer

Q:  In Kim Knox’s novella, Dark Host, what is the name of the heroine?

A:  (A) Charis Sur

This book is available from Liquid Silver Books at http://www.lsbooks.com/dark-host-p174.php

Trivia Question #89 – Answer

Q:  In Jennifer Leeland’s novel, Commanded to Dream, Shasta Paquel has special what?

A:  (B) DNA

This book is available at Liquid Silver Books at http://www.lsbooks.com/commanded-to-dream-p160.php