First off welcome and thank you for volunteering yourself for torture, er I mean questioning. I’ll try and be gentle lol. Why we don’t we start with you introducing yourself. Tell us about you and what makes you tick.

Hmm, where to start.  First off, I was born and raised in Barbados.  I’m a graphic artist and have been for over twenty years.  I just realized that that’s half my life.  Eww!  Writing is a new sort of outlet for me, but I’d like to make it a full-time “job” one day.

My parents were Japanese, so, that in itself was a bit odd at the time, growing up in Barbados.  I sort of stood out (Make that I really stood out).  Which is what makes me tick, so to speak.  I prefer to keep to the sidelines, watching and observing, then deciding whether or not to react to anything.  Since I’ve been watched most of my life, I like to do the watching now.  People who don’t really know me would say I was reserved, quiet, self-effacing.  I am really, but my closest friends might beg to differ.  So anything that draws attention to myself, I shudder and start running.  Writing is like that for me, but I’m getting used to it…you know, the exposing yourself bit.

Exposing yourself lol, that sounded dirty, but as a bit of a hermit myself I totally understand where you are coming from.
Now tell us about your newest release. Feel free to brag.

My newest release, and first release, is The Lancaster Rule.  It’s also the first in a trilogy. It was published by Champagne Books in April of this year. The story follows a young woman who enters into a stasis pod.  She thinks she’s helping her father’s experiments, only it ends up that he’s helping her, saving her life, in fact.  She ends up sleeping for 300 years.  She awakes, after being resuscitated by pod-hunters, and finds herself in a completely different world from the one she left behind.  Now, she must learn to survive in this world.  Along the way, she encounters all number of misadventures, excitement, a little mystery, and yes, some love.

Wow, Lancaster Rule sounds totally intriguing and has been added my groaning TBR list. Brace yourself now, because we want to know about the most embarrassing scene you ever wrote, the one that made you blush and squirm, but that just had to be included.

Hmm, I wrote a short love scene, but I can’t say it made me blush…maybe I got a little embarrassed, but since it needed to included into the story to keep it together, I wrote it.  But I tried to keep the book relatively tame or tasteful when it came to those intimate scenes.  I wanted it more as an adventure book with memorable characters that love each other.  Some swearing I “modified” so it pertained to the story, because again, I didn’t really want it to be a book all about how much swear words I could put in it. So, not much squirming or blushing…

Having written science fiction, I’m going to guess you’ve watched Star Trek. I’ll admit I was and still am a fan and I loved the movie they did last year with the young, very hot, Captain Kirk. Here’s the question: which of the several spin offs was your favorite, and if you could be any character at all, who would it be?

Have I watched Star Trek?!  Duhhh!! What sci-fi geek hasn’t.  I love it, love it, love it. My favourite spin off?  It would have to be ST Next Generation, because that was my growing up years and it literally wowed me.  I like the originals, vaguely remembered them as a kid, mostly Spock and those furry things called Tribbles or something.  I wasn’t too keen on Voyager or even Deep Space Nine, but I watched them.  And as for the movie last year!  I must’ve talked non-stop about it until I watched it, and then talked some more about it.  Still do.

As for which character would I like to be?  I’d say, hands down, Data.  He’s smart, he’s tough with super-human strength, has a kitty called Spot…who doesn’t want to be him.

I’ve heard alot of people say Data, personally, I always wanted to be a girly Spock. I love the pointy ears and the way he arched his brow.

I read you’re working on a sequel for the fabulously reviewed Lancaster Rule, but apart from that series, any plans for other books? And will they also be science fiction or are you going to genre hop?

I am.  The sequel that is.  At the moment, just going through some final self-edits before I submit.  Fingers-crossed, I’m hoping Champagne Books will say yes again and accept it.

I do have other books I’d like to write, I might do a bit of genre hop as well.  One book that I have cooking in the background is a very contemporary story, a coming of age or growing up story.  The idea came to me last year when my husband’s young cousin stayed with us for the entire summer.  The antics that 21 year olds will get up to is unbelievable and so entertaining.  Another book I’d like to write is a mystery.  The idea came to me one night, just before sleep took over.  In brief, an older woman, not quite geriatric, is forced to take a cruise by her miserable and ungrateful grown kids – to keep her out of their way – where she solves a murder.  However…this story can and might very well be set in the future.  Not way, way future, but way enough.  Who said it was a cruise on the ocean?  It might be an outer space cruise…

I vote for outer space cruise, and don’t forget to throw in some sexy blue aliens ;P

Now for some fun, when you get rich and famous, how many bedrooms and bathrooms will your house have?

Hmm, does a castle sound good?  Haha!!  I wish.  Honestly, I’d just fix up the house we’re in now.  Maybe enclose it fully, put a blast freezer in it so we’ll never have to be hot again.

But a big house, tucked in the country with a secure gate and completely walled in…that sounds mighty appealing.  Fill it up with all the creature comforts, you know, like fully stocked fridge, internet access, TV/Cable – I’d never have to leave the house ever again, and I’d be happy.  Wait, I do that now minus the big house in the country.

What’s your favorite snack—the one you hide in the cupboard and sneak when no one’s around?

Can’t tell you, then people will know and start looking for them.  Shhh.  Kidding.  I’ve no favourite snacks.  They change constantly from chips to cookies, chocolates to frozen juice snacks…whatevers the flavour of the month, is it.  Right now, it’s Scoops with medium spiced salsa dip.

Everyone in my house knows to keep their hands off my sour cream and onion chips. I odnèt like to share lol.

What turns you on?

A)Husband taking off his shirt

B)Husband doing the housework.

C)Husband taking off with the kids for the day

D) Curling up with a hot book ;P

Wow…good question.  But since C doesn’t apply to me, let me make C this: Just chilling with husband shooting the breeze – because that’s the moment you think to yourself “Yeh, we still click.”  And you remember why you got married in the first place.  A, well…I won’t answer that.  B, yeah, right! Like that’ll ever happen.  And if it did, I’d be passed out from shock and miss most of it.

But D, now, that does sound good…

And finally, if you had a super fan standing in front of your right now, clutching their e-reader loaded with your book, eyes shining bright, what would you say to them?

“You actually like them?  Really, really?”  But no, I’d probably be very happy, grateful that they thought that much about my work that they’d buy it and read it.  I’d say thanks so much and probably stammer and make an idiot of myself.  Then I’d run and hide.

Want to see more of T.K. Topping then hustle over to her site @ TheLancasterRule.blogspot.com

Or even better buy her book @
Champagne Books
OmniLit
Amazon Kindle
Fictionwise
All Romance Books
Bookstrand

A big thank you to T.K. for dropping in to chat!

Want a chance to win an e-copy of both Alien Mate 1 and 2? It’s simple, all you have to do is leave a comment on my newest interview @ RomanceBookJunkies.blogspot.com conducted by Danielle, romance book junkie reviewer.

For those who are new to my alien series, in the first Alien Mate, a very naked blue babe comes to earth to  abduct an earthling who has many choice things to say about his caveman tactics. In the second Alien Mate, a new blue hunk must choose between honor and his heart while being hunted by the US military.  For full blurbs and excerpts, hit the book link at the top of the page.

Mmm…Alien probes of a pleasurable kind, don’t miss out.

Eve

Rachel of the tittering laugh is probably going to the jury house tonight and I for one am miffed. She is one of the few actually playing the game this season, and yes she might have played a little queenly at times, but one thing she did not do was act like an absolute jerk behind peoples backs. If attacked she fired back yes, but humiliating people for the purpose of entertainment, no. And I’ve read through the BB grapevine that she was attacked verbally(and quite viciously)last night and I have to say that’s just mean as are alot of the comments people have made about her online. Leave her tits alone. I for one wish I had a pair just like them!

Poor Brendon, he seems to have given up, and I am probably one of the few people who think its kind of cute the way he’s trying to take the bullet for Rachel. He’s right she has the better chance to win, Rachel is a born competitor and I think without Brendon there she could kick some serious ass. Revenge can be a powerful motivator.

As for the so called brigade the only one actually doing anything in that group is Matt who somehow doesn’t realize he’s helping a bunch of scaredy cats make it to the end. I’m sorry, but I swear once they knew Brendon wasn’t winning HOH, they gave up in the comp. Chickens! Of course if Matt takes them to the end with him though it will be a cake walk to win, because he’s the only one who will have played. But what a boring ending.

As for the diamond power of veto, how retarded is it to give it to the current HOH. Did they forget that the HOH was the one to put the nominees up in the first place and is the one who replaces if a regular veto was used? I would have preferred something along the lines of Survivor where they are given clues to find it. It gives everyone a chance then at getting it.

Not happy with this season. I’ve watched it faithfully, but the way one couple only was targeted the whole summer was really aggravating. Not to mention, the saboteur has yet to do anything interesting. A real saboteur would have exposed the brigade for the fireworks. Or planted fake evidence Kathy and Brittany are related. Now that would have made for interesting episodes. Instead once Brenchel is evicted, we’re going to yawn our way through the next few evictions as the brigade cleans house and sleeps the day away. Sigh.

Next year , here’s what I hope they do. Get only some twenty to thirty years old, all single ’cause I love the drama of showmances, and throw a Snooki or two in. Then we’d have entertainment. (I recently discovered Jersey Shore and I am guilty of enjoying the drama. And is it me or does the one guy look like Pauly Shore?)

Anyways, I’m off to watch team Brenchel get broken up. Sniff. The romantic in me was so hoping they’d make it to the end.

First off welcome and thank you for submitting yourself for questioning—ignore the bright light shining in your eyes. LOL. Who is Charisma Knight and why are you so awesome?

CK: LOL, Thank you for having me! I don’t know about the awesome part, but I’m a reader turned author who decided to start writing in March 2009.

I think lifelong readers make the greatest writers. Now, I know you’ve got a new release with Amira Press, tell us about it.

CK: My Serbian Wolf is about Niko, an ancient Serbian wolf shifter who has sacrificed himself for the sake of his pack in 1389. My heroine, Rebecca (Zena Vuk) has been reincarnated since that time while Niko has fought for centuries in numerous wars, enduring famine, plague, and disease as a human, thanks to a Tsar’s cruel curse. The story begins as a prologue when Niko tells Zena Vuk of this curse he must endure.
This story is about self-sacrifice and true love prevailing over this curse, and many centuries of heartache.

I love it a shifter and a curse, you just can’t go wrong with that combo. Here’s the question I love most. What is the embarrassing scene you ever wrote, the one that made you blush and squirm, but that just had to be included.

CK: Well, when I wrote my first published book, Her Dark Desires, I was blushing and squirming over the bondage scenes. Yes, they just had to be in there!!

<raising my eyebrows>Bondage, naughty girl. LOL. I’ve noticed your books tend to be interracial, and I wondered what differences, if any, does this makes in your writing?

CK: Well, many years ago before ebooks, there were no interracial romance books, at least none that I had ever come across. While I’ve enjoyed countless romance novels in my teenaged years, I was disappointed about this. I’m a black woman who has been involved in an interracial relationship throughout the majority of my life. I would often picture my heroines as being African American, as that was something I could identify with. Well, when I stumbled upon interracial ebooks three years ago, it totally blew my mind! I was like, damn, where the hell was I? I wish I had been a witness to the start of this.

This makes a difference in my writing because I know I’m contributing to the growing popularity of multicultural/interracial books. Interracial relationships have come such a long way, and pioneers of interracial dating went through hell and high water while standing up for their god-given rights to love someone outside of their race. Love transcends the color of skin, as well it should because God created us equally. Some say we are different races because we were meant to be kept apart, but I believe we are different races because God intended for us to get along and mesh. I mean, it only makes sense. We are all a part of one race, and that’s the human race.

What makes me proud is there are so many interracial books on the market to choose from, and it has become widely recognized. Now, if we could only see some interracial romances in places like Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, Barnes N Noble, etc. That would be awesome! Hopefully, one day we will. I do realize these books would not be erotica, but to see a black woman and a white man on the cover of a romance novel for everyone to see would be awesome!

One day the big publishers will realize that not only do we love some interracial loving, but we like heroines who aren’t skinny Minnie’s either. It’s so exciting to be part of a growing revolution. Quick, who’s your favorite male cover model?!!!

CK: Jimmy Thomas ; ) He’s quite the cutie pie!

I agree, he’s on a couple of my covers as well. And he’s so nice to boot! I know you’re working on something else and I’ll bet it’s another hot paranormal. Want to tell us about it?

CK: I’m currently working on the sequel to The Beast Within and the Bad Boys Inc anthology for Amira Press. The Beast Within is a “what would you do if a vampire seduced you tale” about vampire, Julian Grey and the human love of his life, Diana Carrington. Well, my heroine discovers she has feelings for this vamp, but towards the end, she becomes let’s say, reluctant, and in Julian’s eyes it is way too late to back out. My sequel portrays my characters struggling between good and evil. In this tale, my vampires can shape shift and when they embrace their baser instincts, they become vulnerable to giving into their “beasts.”

Bad Boys Inc anthology is called Revealing Thorn. This has a 15,000 word count and is about my half-demon, half human, Thorn, who has been approached by Wolfe McCoy to join BBI to wipe his record clean, so to speak. Thorn has slain countless demons resembling humans, causing him to obtain a record a mile long.

In order to have his charges dropped, he must protect Lena Hendrix, the woman who is sought out by the demons. She has the ability to sire the ultimate demon-child that can bring forth destruction to mankind.

Oh, I love demons, I’ll be keeping an eye out for that one. Now for the dream part of the interview. When you get rich and famous, what’s the most decadent thing you want in your house? Me, I’m going for an indoor swimming pool and hot tub.

CK: Hmm, maybe a water fountain with a marble vampire possessing eyes of rubies. LOL

Awesome. Now, what is your guilty food? The one you know you shouldn’t eat, but you do and love it even as you hate yourself for caving in to temptation.

CK: That would be cheesecake! LOL

Mmm, yes the one sweet treat that makes me melt as well. Next, what turns you on?
A)Husband taking off his shirt
B)Husband doing the housework.
C)Husband taking off with the kids for the day
D) Curling up with a hot book ;P

CK: Curling up with a hot book!!

After almost 11 yrs of marriage, I’m with you on that one. And finally, if you had a super fan standing in front of your right now, clutching their e-reader loaded with your book, eyes shining bright, what would you say to them?

CK: I would say, damn! Hope you’re enjoying the book! Let me know if it should have come with a warning label! Ha Ha ; 0

Want to see more of Charisma Knight then hustle over to her site @
http://charismaknight.yolasite.com

Or even better buy her book @ AmiraPress.com

CK: Eve, thanks so much for having me, you’re a blast!! Oh, and let me throw this in! Alien Mate was the freaking bomb! I loved it!!

Another lover of the big blue <wink!>  Thanks Charisma for submitting yourself for torture. Hmm that sounded dirty. LOL.

I listen to today’s teenagers whine about their parents and I’ve got to say what they’re experiencing is nothing compared to what I grew up with. My Dad is Satan–you know Lucifer, King Of Hell and all lies. Yeah, the number one demon in the world is my father and I tell you, it wasn’t easy growing up with him watching over my every move.

Having had a unique upbringing in Hades, I’m not your normal girl next door, something you’ll soon learn when you read about me in my very first literary appearance — Lucifer’s Daughter. I can’t wait for you to share my excitement when I finally meet, the one. Of course, when you’re Lucifer’s Daughter even something like falling in love is fraught with difficulties, but at least I can’t say my life lacks excitement.

Now, you’ll have to excuse me while I go and teach some naughty demons manners. And if you don’t want me showing up on your doorstep armed to the teeth, looking to kick your ass, then I suggest you hustle over to Liquid Silver Books sometime after 7pm on August 9th to pick up a copy of my story. I guarantee you’ll find me anything but boring.