Author Interview: Alex A. Akira with DOJO BOYS!

 

 

Today I'm featuring an interview with Alex A. Akira and sharing more about her newest release, DOJO Boys: Dragon and Crow!

 

Have you ever gone out in public, realized your shirt is on backwards, and just don’t care?

No. Horribly, I’m an introvert so pay close attention to my appearance when venturing into society.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Drawing and painting, running, martial arts, hiking, rock climbing, yoga and sex…not necessarily in that order.

Do you have any writing rituals?

Write daily, research three days or more a week, and meditate if I can’t find the words to express what I want to say.

How many books/stories have you written? Do you have a favorite?

I’ve written about 45 stories, but only 8 were written for publication. Right now 3 books are published with 2 more to be out in September 2015.

I love Dragon and Crow because it was my first full manuscript, but whatever I am working on in the moment tends to get the most love. At this moment that work is Doll Drone, a yaoi android story scheduled to be a webepisode series on my website in September of 2015

 

What do you think makes up a good book?

I like intense stories that engage a reader and take them places they may not have gone before. I believe a story should get increasing better as it develops; the climax should be good, but the end should be even better. I also like characters that display courage and emotional growth in concurrence with the events of the story.

If you could give advice to yourself when you first started writing, what would it be?

For the love of God, get an editor… and a beta reader.

Did something inspire you to write a story that involves martial arts themes?

I’m a martial artist, so I figured I’d start with a subject I know something about.

Did the characters or the plot of Dojo Boys: Dragon and Crow come to you first?

I’d have to say the characters. I knew I wanted to write about a young American martial artist falling in love with a visiting martial artist from Japan. But once I envisioned Michael and Kiyoshi… well the storyline just kind of took off to where the characters wanted to go. Of course they wanted to go everywhere, so I had a lot of research to do to make the eventual plot work.

 

If your Dojo Boys was made into a movie, who could you picture playing the parts for Michael and Kiyoshi?

Wow, the writer's dream question huh? I'm going to answer by revealing the real-life inspirations for these two characters.

 

The character of Kiyoshi was inspired by: Hyde, Mizushima Hiro, Sato Takeru, Oguri Shun and David Chiang.

The character Michael was inspired by: Pablo Morais, Simonas Pham, Cameron Gentry and Michael Ealy.

So any actors that can capture the charming personalities and exquisite beauty of those mentioned, step on up… let’s talk.

Can you share anything about your current or future projects?

I’m currently reworking the two-volume sequel to Dragon & Crow, Dojo Boys: The Italian Connection, scheduled to be released in September 2015. I’m also writing an anthology of Dojo Boys shorts, which I’ve temporarily named Dojo Boys: The Lost Chapters, scheduled for a 2016 release.

Besides the yaoi android web series, Doll Drone, I’ve got a drug dealer-college student action-romance called Sweet in the works.

I’m also writing and illustrating another yaoi action series for my website, called Smithy which chronicles the adventures of a yahoo from the Midwest who gets scouted by a modeling agency. He discovers his mother, who raised him, is in a witness protection program when his modeling job unintentionally exposes her. Soon Smithy is using his unique “survival skills” and his international modeling gigs to track down her killers. This series of anecdotes will be appearing monthly on my website in Autumn 2015.

 

 

Title: Dragon and Crow - Deluxe 2 Volume Set

Series: Dojo Boys

Author: Alex A. Akira

Publisher: Triple A Press

Cover Artist: Alex A. Akira

Length: Volume 1 – 275 Pages; Volume 2 – 390 Pages

Release Date: 25^th May, 2015

Blurb: Twenty-three-year-old, Native American, Michael Black’s well-ordered life is disrupted one evening when he is ambushed at the dojo he frequents by a mysterious Japanese youth who goes by the name of Kiyoshi.

Soon circumstances have the gorgeous teen staying with Michael at his apartment. The gifted nineteen-year-old is an intriguing mix of angst, innocence and crafty intelligence, but Michael is honor bound by a promise to his sensei to keep his distance. Michael tries to keep his desire in check, but what can he do if the exquisite teen keeps kissing him?

Volume two finds Michael in deep water when, in trying to help Kiyoshi, he is persuaded by his sensei to participate in a joint government undercover operation to bring down a Yakuza lord.

Before long Michael is immersed in beautiful men, martial arts and espionage all to gain the trust and love of Kiyoshi. Secrets, lies, sex and action combine in this racy, romantic, adventure of two men, Michael Black and his sensei, Ichiro Kimura, navigating a dangerous path for true love. 

 

Michael groped for the light switch, a smile of triumph playing at his lips. Damn, I did it! I beat him! Flicking the switch, he turned, eager to view his skilled opponent and to bask in the accolades that he was sure to receive from Sensei Kimura.

 

His triumph descended to dismay in a flash. Who the hell is this?

A slight figure lay crumpled at the center of the practice room. Cautiously approaching the limp form, Michael’s heart sank even further. Lying unconscious on the gleaming bamboo floor was a Japanese boy. He looked to be about five-foot-seven, was very pale, and quite young.

“A kid? I beat up a kid?” Quickening his pace, Michael knelt beside the slim figure. Jesus, he’s like fourteen, fifteen? Beautiful. He looks like Ichiro. Better, actually, Michael admitted, surprised at his internal betrayal of his long-held crush on his sensei. He continued to stare down at the slight, fragile boy, eyeing the long blue-black hair that trailed sensuously around the figure’s unfamiliar gray karategi.

Who the hell is he? Why would they have me beat up a kid for my test? Puzzled, he glanced around the room, noting that he and the boy were alone. Ignoring his impending alarm, he gazed back to the unconscious figure.

The youth’s face was truly beautiful. Michael’s inner artist drank in the smooth, pearly skin, the long, sooty lashes, and the pale apricot color blushed across the boy’s delicate cheekbones. God… An aching hunger preceded the lurch of Michael’s cock, which nudged his lower abdomen telegraphing its interest. Get it together. He’s like … twelve! Suddenly realizing that the boy showed no sign of regaining consciousness, Michael snapped from his trance and shook his opponent’s shoulder.

“Hey!” He leaned over the placid body, hand stretching toward the longish neck for a pulse. The telltale thump throbbed beneath his fingers, but his proximity to the boy’s face had him pausing to stare at the youth’s sculpted lips. Christ, get away from him before you do something you’ll regret. Frowning, he started to shift upright when a relentless grip clutched his hair.

Caught off guard, Michael fumbled helplessly as his head was tugged abruptly toward the face beneath him. The beautiful mouth claimed his lips, stealing his breath and muffling his gasp as a hot tongue invaded his mouth. The agile member eagerly caressed its counterpart, igniting Michael’s senses. The tantalizing scent of ripe apricots surrounded him, dizzying him with sensual promises, and urging him to surrender.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/DOJO-BOYS-DRAGON-ADVENTURE-ROMANCE-ebook/dp/B00XT5U8AA/ 

 

Alex A. Akira is the author of the yaoi romance series Dojo Boys, racy tales of young, male martial artists navigating some unorthodox and adventurous paths to find love. The Deluxe two-volume box set of Dojo Boys: Dragon and Crow are available at Amazon:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dojo-Boys-Dragon-Crow/1586470108305850

WEBSITE: http://www.alexaakira.org/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/AlexAAkira

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103196749872035740632/posts/p/pub

 

 

Three Winners get $25 Amazon Gift Card each.

Seven Runners-up get a free e-copy of the prequel to this series – DOJO BOYS: The First Misunderstanding.

Enter the Rafflecopter NOW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

June 1: Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

June 2: Andrew Q. Gordon

June 3: A Celebration of Books

June 4: Joyfully Jay

June 5: Elisa - My reviews and Ramblings

June 7: Wicked Faeries Tales And Reviews

June 8: The Novel Approach

June 9: Drops of Ink || LeAnn’s Book Reviews

June 10: Eyes on Books

June 11: Prism Book Alliance

June 12: Nephy’s World

June 14: Love Bytes Reviews

June 15: Cia’s Stories

June 16: The Purple Rose Tea House

June 17: MM Good Book Reviews

June 18: Nessa’s Book Reviews

June 19: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

June 21: Rainbow Gold Reviews

June 22: Man2ManTastic

June 23: The Fuzzy, Fuzzy World of Chris T. Kat

June 24: Lynley Wayne – Wordsmith Wednesday

June 25: Diverse Reader

June 26: Mickie B. Ashling

June 28: Bayou Book Junkie

June 29: BFD Book Blog

June 30: Bike Book Reviews

July 1: Multitasking Mommas Book Reviews

July 2: Nautical Star Books || Divine Magazine

July 3: Gay.Guy.Reading And Friends

Author Interview Featuring Renee Steven's No More Hiding

A good friend of mine, and a favorite author, Renee Stevens has her first release with Dreamspinner Press out now!! Enjoy this interview with her and check out her excerpt too.



Single people often have more time to write. Are you single?

Nope, I’ve been happily married since 2008 and been with my husband since 2006. Luckily for me, he understands my desire to write and doesn’t complain if I stay up late to work on a story.

Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?

I have to at least throw the covers back over the bed, otherwise my sheets get covered in dog hair and dirt from the dogs getting on the bed. It makes trying to fall asleep quite difficult.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

Chocolate all the way J

Do your characters try to make like bunnies and create ever more convoluted plots for you? Or do you have to coax them out of your characters?

Sometimes I have to coax them, other times they like to steer me in directions that I didn’t originally thing about. I actually like the times that the plot gets a little more convoluted and I’ve learned to go with it. The end results are usually better than whatever I originally planned.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

It’s sometimes difficult to keep from head-hopping.  I’ll read something I just wrote and cringe when I see that I switched the characters point of view. Sometimes it’s deliberate, but if that’s the case I try to only switch to a different character if it’s a new chapter. Sometimes though, it’s very hard not to mix point-of-views in a single chapter.

Do you have any writing rituals?

Mainly, I write better when I have music going on in the background. Also, I am a night owl and have learned over time that I write better at night. I might struggle with a story for days, and then sit down late and night and it just flows for me. Probably because there are less distractions.

How did you come up with the title?

The title actually came very easily with this story. Phillip spent the first years of his life hiding from who he really was. Most of this story is about him no longer hiding from his sexuality and what he wants. He has some obstacles to overcome, but they still don’t send him back into hiding. He has his moments, but for the most part, he meets his issues head on.

How long did it take you to write this story?

I first wrote No More Hiding over a couple months in 2009.  I had some friends read it and they enjoyed it, but I knew it still needed work. I let it sit for about five years before I finally sat down and worked on the revisions. I had a lot of great help and I’m really happy with the way it turned out.

What sort of coffee would your characters order? Simple coffee, complicated soy-non-fat-extra-espresso-half-caff-nightmare?

I can’t picture any of my main characters ordering anything except simple coffee.

What was your favorite part of the story(ies)?

I think I’d have to say my favorite part would be the bond Phillip shares with his twin brother Robert. It’s easy to see how much they care about and support each other. You’ll have to read the story to understand exactly what I’m talking about, but Phillip and Robert share an amazing bond.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I have a couple in the works right now. I’m working on revising a vampire novel in the hopes of submitting it for publication. Joined by Blood is probably tied with No More Hiding for my favorite of my works. Damian is held captive and is rescued by Vik, a vampire, and his warriors. He has a hard time trusting Vik, or anyone in his clan, and it causes some complicated issues that they have to work through.

What are your future projects?

I plan to finish revising Joined by Blood and then I want to finish an online story called Thwarted that deals with a couple of military and ex-military guys and some of the struggles they face. I also have an on hold story called Forging Trust that I want to finally finish up.

 

 

 

***Available Now***

 

Dreamspinner Press – eBook

Dreamspinner Press - Paperback

Blurb

Phillip Jorgensen tried to live the straight life and ended up divorced. But he wouldn’t trade his two kids, Jacob and Samantha, for the world. His ex-wife has kidnapped them and he's been searching for them for six long years. But he’s not giving up—never, not for anything. His twin brother has encouraged him to start living again, but how is he going to find romance with all his baggage?

When he meets Vance Pierce at the new gym, Phillip sees a chance to find some happiness.

Phillip has to explain the whole sordid mess to Vance and pray that he understands that he’ll never stop looking for his children. That’s easier said than done. Telling Vance might be risky. Is their connection strong enough to convince Vance to stay? Or will he think that Phillip is too damaged to love? This is Phillip's chance at the life he never thought he could have. But is it possible?

Excerpt

“I know you don’t want to hear this any more than I want to say it, but Phillip, there is no guarantee we’ll ever find Jacob and Samantha. We won’t ever stop looking and hoping, but you have to move forward with your life. You can’t base whether or not you start a relationship on the kids.” Robert wiped his hand over his face. “Maybe I’m wrong, and you don’t want a chance with Vance, but if you do, you need to talk to him.”

“He wanted me to go to the fireworks show with him tomorrow night.” Phillip smiled. He hated when his brother made sense. It always went to his head.

“Do you want to go?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Okay, so that was a lie. Phillip did want to go, but he still wasn’t sure it was fair to Vance to ask him to take on all the baggage he came with.

“Then talk to him.” Robert had always known what he was thinking. Must be the whole twin thing. “Give him the benefit of the doubt and explain what happened. Find out if it’s something he can deal with. You can’t make up his mind for him. Come clean—about everything. Tell him about your marriage, the kids, about what will happen if Jacob and Samantha walk through your front door one day.” Robert stepped forward and dropped his hand reassuringly on his shoulder. “You won’t know how he feels about it until you give him all the facts.”

“I know.” Phillip grinned and followed his brother into the house. He walked Robert to the door and wrapped him in a hug. “Thanks.”

“For?”

“Giving me a kick in the ass when I need it. Though if you ever tell anyone I said that, I’ll deny it.”

Author Bio

Renee Stevens first started writing in her teens but didn’t get serious about being an author until her mid-twenties.  Since then she’s written a number of contemporary stories, as well as delved into the paranormal.  When not writing, or spending time in the outdoors, Renee can usually be found working on GayAuthors.org in her capacity of admin and Anthology Coordinator.

Renee resides in Wyoming with her wonderfully supportive husband and a menagerie of four-legged critters.  Making the most of the nearly constant negative temperatures and mounds of snow, Renee spends much of the winter months in hibernation with her laptop, the voices in her head keeping her company while her husband works. When she needs a break from writing, Renee takes to the sewing machine to design, and make, beautiful quilts.

When the snow finally disappears, usually around May or June, Renee can be found in the great-outdoors.  She spends her time on the mountain, at the lake, and just anywhere that she can do some camping, take some photos, and ride the four-wheelers with her hubby.  Once back at home, it’s back to writing.

Twitter * Blog * Facebook * Goodreads

 

 

Cover Reveal ~ Forbidden Things: Dissident



COVER REVEAL FOR FORBIDDEN THINGS: DISSIDENT

by Nikki McCormack

 

BLURB:

Ascard power can strengthen, heal and create. It also has great potential to destroy, enough to topple entire governments. Indigo’s country places strict limitations on the use of ascard so she must channel her talents into the healing arts or risk severe punishment. An orphan from a disgraced family, trapped by her father’s treason, Indigo struggles reclaim her place in a society that has driven her into an abusive engagement.

Then a mysterious stranger from a neighboring country contacts her using ascard. He needs help escaping his prison so he can bring an end to his emperor's oppressive rule or die trying. His unshakable devotion to his cause and the passion hidden behind his cool arrogance move her to help him at the risk of being branded a traitor herself.

 When the politics of society bring them together a second time, Indigo decides to use her growing powers to help him fight his war. If only she dared fight for her own future with such passion. Perhaps she can find the courage to do so by helping the man she has fallen for win his revolution. She might have exactly the power he needs to succeed.

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

The author is providing a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday Briefs: Fortitude Part 33



Here we are again... and who knows what is going to happen?! I do, I do! ;) Read on to find out what the prompt, have a character trip, inspired!

Fortitude Part 33

The stone scraped as I lifted it up and slid it off to the side. I winced and froze, ready to slip it back into place if necessary. Listening intently, I ignored the sound of my heart pounding in my chest and tried to keep my breath slow and steady.

“I don’t think there are any guards down here,” I said. I heaved myself out of the hole. No Name followed me. Teddy was trickier; I had him turn with his back to me so I could lock my arms around his chest and help pull him up until he could sit on the lip of the hole and then stand up.

No Name stood over the skeleton in the corner of the cell. “Who do you think this is?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Should we search it?” Teddy looked at us over his shoulder. He was standing by the bars separating the cell from the hallway. “I think the keys are out there, and we’re locked in.” He pushed on the door, and it didn’t budge an inch.

“Let’s look for some cogs.” I didn’t want to touch the body. It might be a skeletal corpse now, but once upon a time it was a person. The very idea creeped me out and practically ensured I’d have nightmares. We swept the cell but found nothing.

“We’re going to have to do it.” No Name crouched down by the body. “I expected you to have more gumption than this; don’t be squeamish now.”

I scowled. “You don’t know us; don’t act like you do!” Just because I didn’t want to desecrate a corpse didn’t mean I was squeamish.

Teddy place a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, I can do it,” he whispered in my ear. But he was pale and sweat beaded on his forehead. Teddy was injured, and he needed time to heal.

“No, it’s fine. You go sit down and rest.” There was no telling what else we were going to come up against. He was reluctant but finally agreed. He turned and tripped. I caught him, but he was breathing hard and even paler by the time he was steady on my feet. Teddy grunted as he sat down, closing his eyes as he leaned against the wall.

Bracing myself, I took a deep breath and let it out. I squatted on the opposite side of the body. “Let’s do this.”

“Let’s pick it up and move it first.” Brown grabbed one elbow. Hard brown sinews bonded the brittle bones together… until we moved it. The hand on the arm I was holding fell to the floor. Two of the fingers smashed like porcelain and the others rolled around.

My gorge rose and I swallowed repeatedly, trying to keep my breakfast in my gullet and not all over the stone floor. Thankfully there was no smell, or I would have faced a losing battle.

“Just keep going.” Slowly we shifted the bones. The tatters of clothing held nothing. I scraped my foot through the ancient straw. Nothing hidden there, and there was nothing on the stone.

“I don’t understand!” Everywhere we’d been there was a clue or something to help us reach the next step. Schvesla was guiding us to his machine… but how did coming to a dead end get us there? “There’s nothing here.”

No Name scoffed at me. “So easily discouraged.”

“Discouraged? We’re stuck in a locked cell!”

“Perhaps we missed something at the theater,” Teddy suggested. “That’s the only thing that makes sense. There’s no reason to have a secret tunnel to a cell with no way out of it.”

“You’re right. Whatever we need to get out of here, it must be back at the theater.  We need to go back.”

Getting back through the tunnel wasn’t hard. “We didn’t check in here,” I said.

“You’re right.”

The lantern was too dim to see much, so I sent a wave of power to the bulb. I held it up. “See anything?”

Nothing stuck out at me immediately. There were no cogs. Schvesla liked his themes. What was I missing?   My stomach rumbled. I’d used a lot of energy and we had to make an appearance that afternoon at a salon where we would politely chat with the ladies and play lawn games.

I wasn’t looking forward to pulling Teddy out without the thralls’ help, but No Name and I were able to handle loop the rope around his waist and hoist him out. I bent over to undo the knots and help Teddy step out of the rope loops. “We’ll come back tomorrow.” I turned around, expecting to hear some answer from No Name, but he was already gone.

“Huh.” He was annoying. “Well, let’s go. It wouldn’t do to be late again.”

We made our way several blocks over to pick up a carriage. We sat together on one bench. “How’s your shoulder?” I asked.

“Sore, but not too bad.” Teddy made the mistake of shrugging and then grimaced.

“Let me know if you need a tonic; I can mix one up when we change.”

“I should be fine.” Teddy settled against the seat and yawned. “I could use a nap though.”

“After the parlor, we’ll lock the doors and lie down together.”

Teddy leaned his head against my shoulder. “I’d like that.” He drowsed quietly until we approached my family’s small estate. There were two carriages out front.

“Looks like we already have guests we are failing to entertain,” I said. I turned to help Teddy out of the carriage and a hand clamped down on my shoulder from behind.

“I don’t think that’s a problem for you today,” a man said.

TBC

Now go read more flash pieces from the other Briefers!!

Briefers Website

Johayan

Jim Dunaway

Cia Nordwell 

Julie Lynn Hayes

Avery Dawes

Jon Keys