And the winner is...

Hello, kittens!

In case you haven't heard, my contemporary interracial BDSM erotic romance novel, Licorice Whips, through Phaze Books is up for the Romance Slam Jam Emma Awards for Steamy Novel of the Year!

I'm up against the heaviest of heavy hitters in the game: Deatri King-Bey, Zuri Day and my fellow Hot M.A.M.A., AlTonya Washington. I hate to sound cheesy like movie stars who say, "It's an honor to be nominated." However, I have to say to be spoken in the same group as these ladies, it truly is an honor just to be nominated. This will be my second Emma nomination.

It may sound strange, especially since 2015 marks my 10th year of being a published author, but if I don't win, I'm absolutely fine with that. I don't think I have enough published works to warrant an award like that. Not just yet. If for the next fifteen years I get nominated and never win like Susan Lucci, I would still hold my head up high. To be nominated means that someone recognized that my work was good enough to say, "Hey, you all should consider this a winning novel." That's a reward in itself. But also I feel like if I win, I have nothing else to strive for, no goal to hit. I want to always be hungry.

That said, if by some miracle the judges find my kinky tale about a candy maker who is a Dom on the side and can play with a woman with candy and make her quiver worthy enough for a win, here's the speech I would give:

Oh, wow! I didn't see this coming. I really didn't. I'm up against some real titans in this industry, so I was thrilled to be nominated with them. The people I want to thank for the book I have thanked in the book. They know who they are, and they are very important to me. I would like to publicly thank people I don't get to thank for getting me to this spot. Thank you to my mother, who was an avid reader and got us books, everything from fairy tale books to Dr. Seuss to Disney. She also got me my first typewriter when I was eleven. I haven't stopped pecking away on the keys since that day. Thank you to every English, Literature, and creative writing teacher and professor I've had from elementary school to grad school. You all gave me the foundation to build my stories. As long as I know the rules, I'll know how to break them. Thank you to authors like A.C. Arthur and Gwyneth Bolton, who read my work when I didn't think anyone else besides my family and close friends knew who I was, and gave me great reviews on my work. I'd like to thank every writer group I was a part of that helped me gain confidence to present my work to agents and editors, and submit my work to publishers. I would have never gotten that push without them. And finally, I'd like to thank every author whose books I have read over the years, and every soon-to-be published author in the room, who I will read in the future. To be a great author, you need to be a great reader. I sincerely believe that. I learn so much from reading that has helped enhance my own work. This award is coming home with me, but I wouldn't have it without a whole lot of help. Thank you.

That all sounds really nice, but what I'll end up saying is probably, "Wow! Thanks!" and run off the stage like an idiot. But hey, it's the thought that counts.

You can wish me luck if you want. I appreciate it. But if I don't win, I know I'll be okay. More than okay.

Stay sexy,

BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com

An interview with author Deatri King-Bey!

I have the awesome opportunity to interview author Deatri Key-Bey! If you don't know her, you're about to get to know her. Her release, For Keeps, is coming out Labor Day weekend.

1. How long have you been writing? When did you get published? What drew you to writing?

I was first published in 2006 and have always been a story teller. Growing up, we would make up elaborate stories to keep each other entertained and people often said I should become an author. I have also always been an avid reader. Sooo, I came upon a bad patch of books. It was pretty sad. One day I was in the bookstore with my sister and I complained about the lack of good books lately. She basically told me to stop complaining and write books I wanted to read if I thought I could do better. Two months later, I’d penned my first book.

2. Who are your favorite authors to read and why?

Beverly Jenkins. I love historical fiction and she’s so good at it. She doesn’t sugar coat our history, which is quite painful, but her writing isn’t depressing. It’s uplifting and exciting. I just love it. Sharon Shinn. She has created this world of “Archangels.” The world she built is fascinating with it’s politics, love and loss. J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts). I’m so amazed anyone can write a series (In Death) so long and it still be good. I’m in awe. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few that aren’t the best, but overall it’s a great series. I could keep going and going. I read a LOT.

3. How many books have you written and what are they?

How about we only count the ones that have been released (SMILE). The ones marked “Free Read” aren’t actually books, but short stories.

Deatri’s Romance
Beauty and the Beast
Broken Promises (Interracial)
Christmas Angel (Second Chances)
Diamond in the Rough (Interracial)
Ebony Angel (Interracial)
For Keeps
If You Only Knew (Second Chances)
Love’s Desire (Free Read)
Journey’s End (Interracial)
Santa’s Helper (Write Brothers Series Book II)
Silk Scarves and Apples (Second Chances)
Tease (Write Brothers Series Book IV)
Tell Her How You Feel (Write Brothers Series Book I)
The Drama The Street and the Seduction (Free Read)
The Impossible Possible (Interracial)
The Only Option
The Other Realm
Third Time’s A Charm (Write Brothers Series Book III)
Trapped In Paradise (Free Read)
Whisper Something Sweet

Women’s Fiction
Caught Up
Jodie’s Choice
Operation White Rose
Picture Perfect
Suspense (as L. L. Reaper)
Black Widow and the Sandman
Birth of the Black Widow (Free Read)
The Sandman Cometh (Free Read)
Hell Hath No Fury

Nonfiction
Become A Successful Author

4. What's your latest release and what is it about?

In my new romantic suspense, For Keeps, Gina Guy’s daughter witnessed a murder. Now the murderer is after the little girl. Child Protective Services is manipulated into the picture, and Jarvis Martin, a manager within the agency, steps in to protect the Guys’ rights. From the moment Gina meets Jarvis, she feels she can depend on him, but life has proven to her that the only person she can count on is Gina. Will they be able to stop the murderer? Can Jarvis earn her trust and love?

5. What genres have you written in? Why do you like those genres?

I am published in Romance, Women’s Fiction and Suspense. I also write historical fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, and science fiction, but haven’t been published in those genres yet. I read across genres and my writing reflects that.

6. Are there any genres you haven't tackled yet that you would like to? If so, what are they?

I love writing in other genres. Historical fiction is the hardest for me. I need a lot more practice at it and to continue researching. I’m learning so much. It’s fun.

7. What was the hardest thing to write about in For Keeps?

The backdrop in For Keeps is Child Protective Services coming in and taking a child out of a home wrongfully. This type of thing happens all the time (sad but true). BUT there are also good case managers in the organization who protect children who desperately need protecting. Keeping the balance was the most difficult.

8. Do you write under any other name? If so, what is it? What style of writing do you do under that name?

I write dangerously sexy suspense as L. L. Reaper with a writing partner, Curtis Alcutt. We are currently writing book three of the Black Widow and the Sandman series.

9. What else do you have coming in 2014 or what do you have planned for 2015?

There were numerous secondary characters introduced in my Write Brothers Series that readers have been asking about. So I’ve started writing their stories. I also have a Second Chances line that features heroines 40 years and older that I’m working on.

10. Now for something silly. Favorite cartoon as a kid.

Scooby Doo. I even have a dog named after him.

Please post all links where readers can find you. http://www.DeatriKingBey.com

Thank you for having me on today and allowing me to share a little about my self and For Keeps. Readers can Pre-order For Keeps in Kindle format from Amazon (Release date 28 Aug. Kindle, Nook, epub (via Barnes & Noble), Print). While you wait, enjoy CHAPTER ONE.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Deatri