Welcome to my weekly Author Spotlight. I’ve asked a bunch of my author friends to answer a set of interview questions, and to share their latest work.
Giveaway – comment below for a chance to win a free eBook copy of Nerds Like Us.
Today, BL Morticia – BL Morticia is the alternative persona of author Sharita Lira. BL pens characters with a certain attitude, habits for using swear words, and having hot sex. She incorporates heavy metal music and or the military into her works and tends to lean more towards humor instead of the serious stuff.
Thanks so much, BL Morticia, for joining me!
How would you describe your writing style/genre?
BL: I’d describe my writing style as heavy on the heat, lots of swear words and funny. Sometimes the funny crosses the line.
What was your first published work? Tell me a little about it.
BL: My first published work was an MF short called Cocksucker’s Complaint. It was published for an erotic anthology in 2010. Hilarious and in your face, just like me. *laughs*
Do you ever base your characters on real people? If so, what are the pitfalls you’ve run into doing so?
BL: I’ve based a good number of my characters on musicians I’ve come in contact with during my work as an editor for a heavy metal e-zine. The pitfall is incorporating things off the record into books. I’ve wanted to but haven’t done it for fear the person would find out. I’m great at making up stories about them though. 😉
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
BL: I do read them from time to time because if they’re constructive they can help me get better as an author. Any time people take a moment to read my book I’m appreciative.
Are there underrepresented groups or ideas featured if your book? If so, discuss them.
BL: Yes. Black people who love metal. \m/ \m/ I’m a black metalhead, so of course I want to write about others like me. Many people just don’t believe we exist. Also, queer black men and women. Ditto on the existing part, BTW. Although I’m not queer, I want to include them in my books.
Do your books spring to life from a character first or an idea?
BL: Most of the time, character first. I’ve got so many characters with little to no story idea. *laughs*
What is the most heartfelt thing a reader has said to you?
BL: I’ve been told by readers how much they appreciate seeing someone like them in my books, meaning a black person. Also, others have thanked me for writing black people without stereotypes.
What are your favorite parts of publishing?
BL: Covers, research, and release day!
What are your least favorite parts of publishing?
BL: Anxiety, imposter syndrome, coordinating reviews with websites or handing out ARCs.
If you had a grant to write any book you wanted as a freebie without worrying about sales, what kind of story would you like to tell?
BL: I wrote that story. My Hirah Blaze trilogy remains in the red, but I’m glad I wrote it. A black female metal guitarist for a world class metal band should be more interesting to people, but unfortunately, it hasn’t made any kind of dent.
Sometimes we just have to do the story without worrying about sales. It’s hard enough to survive in this business and agonizing over numbers doesn’t make it any easier.
How did you choose the topic for Love Voodoo?
BL: I knew I wanted to tell a story of an ornery pop star finally finding his match. A different kind of rich boy/poor boy story.
Tell us something we don’t know about your heroes. What makes them tick?
BL: The editors who read Love Voodoo weren’t enamored with Cayden as a character. He is mean, and wears his heart on his sleeve, but he gives his reasons for being somewhat offensive. Deep down, he really is a sweet guy who has issues trusting people.
What were your goals and intentions in Love Voodoo, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
BL: My goal was to tell a different kind of story between two people who come from opposite worlds with a light touch of paranormal mixed in. I feel I told that story well, but I am prepared for some fans not liking Cayden too much because he is truly prickly.
And now for BL’s new book: Love Voodoo:
Can a cocky internet star and a humble Southern boy come together—with a little help from a love potion—in the spookiest city in America?
Burned out and in need of a vacation, online sensation Cayden is drawn to New Orleans, with its rich history and paranormal lore. A cynic and a pessimist, Cayden nonetheless hopes to experience some of the legendary city’s magic.
Trent grew up on the streets and wouldn’t have survived without the kindness of the local community. Now he’s embraced his eccentricities in a place that appreciates them. He works at a voodoo shop and guides ghost tours for extra cash, but he also volunteers at the local LGBT youth center, helping lost souls find their way.
When Cayden and Trent lock eyes across the shop, something happens… and it isn’t just Cayden’s flirtation or the mutual attraction drawing them together. It’s something even a skeptic like Cayden agrees is a little unearthly… and could lead to something extraordinary.
Buy Links
Get It at Dreamspinner Press
Excerpt
“Yeah!” I jumped up and down when I realized I was the last man standing in our paintball free-for-all. “Dammit, I’m good!”
“Dude, you cheated.” Harry chuckled, pulling his girlfriend up from the floor.
“No, I didn’t,” I stressed. “It was all part of the strategy.”
“Oh, so you call tripping me, then shooting me part of sportsmanship?
Don’t cry when I do it to you next time,” Will yelled at me.
“Damn, you guys are sore losers!”
A lot of my half-ass friends got up, grumbling to themselves. They were buddies, but some were Jonah’s hangers-on, especially his witch of a girlfriend, Brianna.
Admittedly I was jealous of the cunt that had my best guy’s eye. I believe she wasn’t nice to me because she knew I’d made a pass at Jonah. For that reason and more, Brianna threw her Jonah’s-extra-special-girl shit in my face every chance she got.
“Heh, good game, man. I almost had you there,” Jonah said, smiling. He walked over with Brianna hanging off his bicep like a wet dishrag.
“Yeah, you did. Too bad you didn’t get him right between the eyes like he deserved,” Brianna snarled.
“What did you—” I stepped up, ready to defend myself.
“Now, now, you two. You promised me there would be no catfighting tonight. I’m not in the mood to play referee.” Jonah kissed Brianna’s head. “Why don’t you go over with the girls, babe?”
“Sure.” Brianna glared at me and turned around, then walked off in the other direction.
“Tell me why you like her again?”
Jonah stroked his chin. “Let’s see. She’s fun, sexy, great in bed, oh yeah, and smart as shit. She can be sweet, you know. Why do you act like such a bitch to her?”
“She started it. Ever since she found out about my, uh, you know, with you, she’s been mean as fuck. I’m not gonna take it lying down either.”
Jonah shook his head. “Man, c’mon. You need to get over that, all right?
You might end up being the best man at our wedding, so y’all need to get along.”
Upon hearing that, I almost choked on my own saliva. “What?”
“You heard me, stud. She might be my bride.”
“Did you ask her?”
“Not yet. But if it does happen, you’re gonna have to drop this feud. I love both of you. You’re my bestie, and she’s my girl. Come on, Cay.” Jonah rubbed my shoulder and gripped it tightly.
From that friendly touch, I bit my lower lip and stifled a moan. Ever since I told him about my feelings for him, he loved to torture me.
“Man, cut that shit.” I moved backward. “You’re a tease. Here you are talking about your girlfriend, then caressing my shoulder like some longlost lover.”
Jonah snickered and put another hand on me. “You know you love it. I told you, even though I’m straight, I kinda like that you got the hots for me.”
I glared at him and shifted again to make his hand fall. “You fucking bastard. I swear if you weren’t my best friend….”
“Hey, at least I’m honest,” Jonah said with a grin. “Anyway, are you still going on vacation?”
“Yeah. To New Orleans, remember?”
“Yes. I want to go with you.”
“Sure, but you gotta leave your dog treat at home.”
Jonah laughed and dropped his head. “I swear if I didn’t love you, I’d deck you for talking about my girl like that.”
“That’s exactly why I did it. Consider it payback for teasing me. Now. I’m leaving in a week. I’ve already got a room, so I’ll pay for you to have your own.”
“Uh-huh. If I’m in my own room, why can’t I bring Brianna?”
“Because I’m in no mood to fight with her. It is a vacation, Jonah.”
Author Bio
BL Morticia is the alternative persona of author Sharita Lira. BL pens characters with a certain attitude, habits for using swear words, and having hot sex. She incorporates heavy metal music and or the military into her works and tends to lean more towards humor instead of the serious stuff. When she’s not headbanging to the likes of old Metallica, Megadeth, or Opeth, she’s busy on her blog, Erotica With Snark, posting NSFW pictures and interacting with readers. To contact her, feel free to email BLMorticia@gmail.com or visit her on her blog or Facebook page.
Website – https://blmorticia.wordpress.com/
Metalrotica – https://metalrotica.wordpress.com/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4436911.B_L_Morticia
Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/BLMorticia/
Facebook Profile – https://www.facebook.com/bl.morticia.16
Twitter – https://twitter.com/BLMorticia
Follow Me on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bl-morticia
Triad Newsletter – https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z7f2c7
Triad Fangroup – https://www.facebook.com/groups/275083546529760/