ephemera « Author Laura Diamond--Lucid Dreamer

For those of you who missed yesterday’s Ephemera post as part of Kendall Grey’s JUST BREATHE WORLD TOUR, click HERE to check out my reviews of her short story series and who I’d cast for the main characters in the JUST BREATHE series. 😉

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Shifting Pride is up for Sizzling Read of the Month! Please vote!

http://sizzlinghotbooks.com/poll-sizzling-read-of-the-month/

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A few weeks back, I entered the cover art for NEW PRIDE and SHIFTING PRIDE in the Houston Bay Area Romance Writers Association’s Judge A Book By Its Cover Contest. JABBIC is a fun way to share cover art and have readers vote on what attracts them to buy a book.

I’d totally appreciate some votes, if you’re so inclined!

Click HERE to go to the JABBIC website. Click START JUDGING, then select YOUNG ADULT, and rate each book based on if you’d buy it based on the cover (5) or if you don’t have interest in the cover (1). (There’s choices between too. 😉 )

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Now, to get to unintended consequences. I think about this concept often, particularly when I see outcomes that are in direct opposition to what was planned.

The biggest example that comes to mind is the flurry of gun control laws spreading across the United States. New York prides itself in having the strictest of all of them.

I’m certain the intention of these laws is to limit the access of firearms (particularly assault-type rifles) to “The Bad Guys.”

A good idea, yes?

BUT, as a result, more guns than ever are being purchased and more ammo than ever is flying off the shelves. Many gun retailers are getting cleaned out–they’re literally selling ALL of their stock and going on back order for guns and bullets.

I’d call this an unintended consequence.

I’ve personally seen several people (who have NEVER before wanted a gun or even thought about having a gun) become OBSESSED with owning a gun.

JUST BECAUSE THEY THINK IT’S NECESSARY TO KEEP THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY SAFE.

Another unintended consequence, I’d say.

YIKES.

Lemme repeat that:

YIKES.

Taking this post in a different direction (because this forum is for writing purposes only)…

Unintended consequences can have HUGE impacts.

What if we applied this concept to our writing?

How thrilling would it be to have a character do something that they think will work out for the good of others and then twist it, focusing on the unintended consequences. Wouldn’t that cause some conflict and tension? Maybe even a disaster?

It would be totally mean.

And PERFECT.

In NEW PRIDE, Richard joins up with a rogue pride. On the one hand, he needs a group of shifters for safety. On the other, the danger of allying with them quickly becomes obvious and potentially impacts everyone Richard cares about.

Have you guys seen unintended consequences in books that you’ve read?

Kendall Grey has crafted one of the best trilogies I’ve EVER read. If you haven’t read INHALE, EXHALE, or JUST BREATHE, you must do so NOW.

I’m thrilled to take part in this WORLDWIDE Blog Tour to celebrate the release of Just Breathe, the final book in the trilogy.

CONGRATS TO KENDALL!!!!

Ok, so not only has she pubbed the trilogy, but she also has short stories from the point of view of various supportive characters. I get to review those today.

Dictionary.com defines Ephemera as: items designed to be useful or important for only a short time.

Kendall uses this definition in the beginning of each short, I suspect as a means of expressing her witty humor. 😉

Vexxed

WARNING: This JUST BREATHE short story contains EXTREMELY graphic sexual content and explicit language. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

When Fire scorches Air, Vexx has no choice but to embrace the burn…

Free-spirited Aer Elemental Vexx finds herself in an ironic predicament when her boss pairs her up with Byrn, a brazen Fyre Elemental, to complete an undercover mission at a BDSM club. She’s been secretly crushing on him for months, so playing Domme to his arrogant, snarky sub is a dream come true. Not only that, she can finally turn the tables on him for the all the suggestive taunting he dishes on a regular basis. But one small problem prevents Vexx from fully embracing her role. If Byrn touches her, she’s dead.

For those of you who like things hot, you won’t be disappointed by this little short. Air elementals are known for their level headedness, but when confronted with a sexy, seductive Fire elemental, Vex is quite, well, Vexxed! I totally got scorched reading this. Check it out–I dare you! 😉

Letting Go

Twelve-year-old Zoe Morgan has always felt out of place. With no friends, an overbearing mother, and a broken brain, it’s no wonder she’s a walking disaster. Trapped in a world dominated by backward letters that don’t make sense, she struggles through each day by clinging to the one thing she does understand: whales. On a life-changing trip to Australia, Zoe comes face to face with her demons and learns that fitting in is sometimes a simple matter of letting go.

LETTING GO is the second installment of the JUST BREATHE Ephemera series, a companion collection of shorts that supplement Kendall Grey’s JUST BREATHE urban fantasy romance trilogy.

This was a super sweet glimpse into what makes Zoe Morgan tick. I loved getting to know Zoe better by seeing her past and how it formed her into the powerhouse we see in the Just Breathe series.

Dirty

WARNING: This JUST BREATHE short story contains explicit language and graphic content. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

Mild-mannered veterinarian Jetta Briggs wrestles with humiliation and self-hatred after someone she trusts brutally betrays her. But when an enigmatic woman shows her the world through the calming Element of Earth, Jetta uncovers inner strength she never knew she had. As everything she believes in flips upside down, Jetta is forced to trust the part of herself she doubts the most—her broken heart.

DIRTY is the third installment of the JUST BREATHE Ephemera series, a companion collection of shorts that supplement Kendall Grey’s JUST BREATHE urban fantasy romance trilogy.

Ever wonder how an elemental is born? Follow Jetta’s journey of becoming an Earth elemental and you’ll definitely be cheering for her along the way!

Stifle

WARNING: This JUST BREATHE short story contains EXTREMELY graphic sexual content and explicit language. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

Sinnder is a hotter-than-blazes Fyre Elemental who thrives on the Fire of sex, and Scarlet, his partner in crime, plans to hook him up. Charged with “occupying” headstrong Zoe Morgan’s attention at a local music club while Scarlet tries to get back in rock star Gavin Cassidy’s bed, Sinnder walks into Shaggy’s with zero expectations. But meeting Gavin’s dream lover Zoe face-to-face arouses addictive heat he never anticipated. Captivated by the promise of the fiery passion lurking beneath Zoe’s good-girl exterior, Sinnder will do whatever it takes to go down in flames with her – and Gavin if he has to.

STIFLE takes the reader on wild ride through the twisted mind of an Elemental consumed not only by Fire but by the ashes of his past.

Who doesn’t love steamy Sinnder??? If you want more of him, check out this short story. It took my breath away!

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Now that we’ve covered these fab shorts, why don’t we fantasize about the DREAM CAST of JUST BREATHE!!! There are SO MANY FAB characters to choose from, but here are my FAVORITE FOUR.