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.
Today:
Living in clean, green New Zealand, Pelaam is a best-selling, multi-published author of M/M romance and erotica across time and space. When not writing she can be found indulging in her other passions of cookery and wine appreciation.
Thanks so much, Pelaam, for joining me!
JSC: How would you describe your writing style/genre?
PMP: I write predominately paranormal and sci-fi/steampunk but will often blend elements from several genres. However, I have written several horrors under the tag line ‘The Devil’s in the Details’
JSC: Do you use a pseudonym? If so, why? If not, why not?
PMP: Yes, I write under an anagram of my first name – Pamela = Pelaam
JSC: What do you do if you get a brilliant idea at a bad time?
PMP: I never leave the house without at least one writing note pad and several pens. If an idea pops up, I can generally write it down – even in meetings such as wine tasting.
JSC: Are you a plotter or a pantster?
PMP : I’m very much a ‘pantser’. I have a general idea of what I’m writing about, but ideas flow as I write. I tend to write out of sequence and then link everything together.
JSC: Where do you like to write?
PMP: I write mainly in my bedroom. I have a desk that faces the Tasman Sea, and there’s a lot of greenery surrounding me. It makes for a good view when the weather’s good. But I’m equally happy writing when it’s rainy.
JSC: What’s your writer cave like?
PMP: I have plants on my desk, Lots of DVDs to provide background noise as I hate silence, and lots of books including dictionaries and books of names. I also have a large number of books on mythology, Aztec history and mythology, and Ancient Egyptian mythology and history.
JSC: How did you choose the topic for The Beast of the Loch?
PMP: I love mythology and mythological creatures. This is steampunk AU where cryptids and mythological beasts exist. However, they won’t always be the villain of the piece when Duncan, my cryptid hunter, investigates
JSC: Tell us something we don’t know about your heroes. What makes them tick?
PMP: Duncan knows that cryptids are real, but that they’re often misunderstood or somethings has happened around them to make them act out of character. In a way he’s a bit like Steve Irwin. But he has to keep their existence secret so that they don’t become game for trophy hunters.
Lachlan is a very honourable man. He’s endured a lot but hasn’t let it sour his disposition. He’s yet to fully come out of his shell, but he will in time.
JSC: Who did your cover, and what was the design process like?
PMP: Evernight Publishing did the cover, but I gave them ideas as to what I wanted to see as part of the design.
JSC: Were you a voracious reader as a child?
PMP: Yes, I always took out the maximum number of library books allowed, both in school and from the local library. These days I often have two or three books I’m reading, plus e-books. I also read YA books and Rick Riordan is a particular favourite.
JSC: What’s in your fridge right now?
PMP: Several different types of chocolate but I only allow myself one if it’s from a box, or a couple of pieces if from a block. Several different cheeses. Salad fixings. Bottle of Riesling (dry). Fruit. Selection of cooked meats – I’m very partial to platters.
And now for Pelaam’s new book: The Beast of the Loch:
Duncan Muir is a renowned zoologist, but as well as being a professor at a university, he works for a society investigating sightings and attacks by cryptids.
His latest mission is to Scotland where a marine cryptid is reputedly attacking the local sheep. He takes his faithful friend and right-hand man, Potts, to assist.
However, he finds another mystery when he meets the local laird, Lachlan MacIver. The man’s taciturn reputation in the village is at odds with the man Duncan comes to know.
As their relationship develops, the mystery deepens. The cryptids are real. However, Duncan is as equally certain they are innocent of the attacks as he is that Lachlan is in danger.
Duncan must solve the mystery to protect the man he’s grown to love.
Publisher | Amazon
Excerpt
Taking advantage of Lachlan’s absence, Duncan stared out at the loch. Mist obscured the scenery on the right side of the boat, although he could still see the house clearly. A tingling sensation diverted Duncan’s attention, and he peered intently at the water.
Between the boat and the shore on Lachlan’s home’s side, Duncan detected ripples he knew were caused neither by the breeze, nor any kind of current in the loch. Something seemed as curious about the boat as Duncan was to see the beast itself.
“Here they are, Duncan.” Lachlan came back on deck carrying a couple of fishing rods, and Duncan hissed his frustration under his breath as a splash sounded then the lake went still. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no. I was just lost in thought.” The fault wasn’t Lachlan’s, and Duncan had no intention of ruining their afternoon. “The loch’s so vast.”
“Yes. And yet I feel an affinity here.” Lachlan sighed. “I could make it my home. What about you, Duncan?”
“My work is in the university and that means I could only be here during the holidays. But, yes, there is something special about this place.” Duncan reached out to touch Lachlan’s cheek. “Something very special.”
“I’ll set up the rods, then we can go back below stairs. The living quarters are nice and cozy.” Lachlan’s voice was breathless, and Duncan smiled, drawing him into a soft kiss.
“Let me help you. Who knows? We may come back to a couple of fresh fish for dinner.” Duncan took one of the rods, and between Lachlan and himself, they were set up in the hopes of a successful catch. “Now, it’s time you and I christened that bed of yours.”
“Yes.” Lachlan took the couple of steps to close the distance between them, and, wrapping his arms around Duncan’s neck, pulled him down into a demanding kiss, his tongue thrusting deep past Duncan’s lips.
That Lachlan was bold enough to make the first move sent Duncan’s arousal spiraling.
“Hurry.” Duncan all but growled the word as they made their way below deck.
By the time they reached the wooden archway to the bed, Duncan had already unfastened his shirt, and he tossed it uncaringly aside, before scrabbling to unfasten his pants.
The moment they were both naked, Duncan went over to Lachlan and took him in his arms. While they kissed, he ran his hands up Lachlan’s slender body and through his lover’s hair. The kiss deepened, and they slid their tongues against one another. Lachlan tried to get impossibly closer, pressing his body hard against Duncan’s.
When Lachlan finally eased back, panting softly, Duncan peppered kisses around his lips. Then he kissed and sucked his way down his lover’s throat as Lachlan arched his neck to offer easier access.
When their hard cocks rubbed together, Duncan took a backward step. “Lachlan, I want you.”
“Yes, Duncan, please … want you so much…. Want this.” Lachlan punctuated the words in between heated kisses.
“On the bed.” Duncan’s voice was low and rough, and he couldn’t stop himself from touching Lachlan’s body as they crawled onto the spacious bed.