Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Chopped at Home!

I never know what to blog about and today is no different.

Let's talk nasty Stromboli! Bought one that didn't have slices of meat - they chopped it up in chunks. WTF! Horrible, just horrible. Anyway, had my own in house Chopped session today and repurposed the filling tossing their far too thick, bready crust out for the birds. Cut up some ghost chili and onion, added it to chopped filling, and browned it in olive oil. Added rice and let that simmer for a bit. YUM! Thank goodness. What was once inedible is now delicious and my meal today.

Ever want a good Stromboli, and you live in the Coatesville/Thorndale area - Joey's Pizza in Thorndale has what I consider the best damn Stromboli around! I'm a fan of Italian meats and if you add pepperoni, have lots of napkins available because that makes it so juicy. You will wear it on your face!!

Enough about Stromboli.

On to another topic...

Everyone who knows me is aware some asshat (probably drunker than a skunk - and just how drunk do skunks get? Does anyone have an answer for that?) drove into my parking area and demolished Lil' Blue. My Tiburon was CLEAN. This looks just like mine did after ten years... *Sigh*
It just tipped into the mid 30,000 miles!! I took it in for every check up as if it were a living thing, you know, like it was one of my furbabies. It had the big six cylinder engine and loved my stereo system. I'll miss those two things the most.

Alas, it was only a THING and life goes on. Here's a pic of what my new car, who remains nameless, looks like. And why the hell do I feel IT needs to have a name. Keep in mind - I'm off my meds, lol. A 2014 Dodge Avenger, one owner, and less miles than mine had. A four cylinder slower than hell but it's still under warranty and I've already had a problem with the ETC sensor. Let me say here that I never took my other car in for anything other than scheduled service so I'm a little disappointed as this car has been in my hands for just over 2 weeks. The service staff was friendly @ Jeff D'Ambrosio and I'll see if that remains the case. My sales person, David Williams, was awesome and has worked with me since to get all the bugs out... I'm nervous but happy! So far. I have to return and we'll see how things go.

Okay, I'm done now.

Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Tue'day's Quote

AGAIN, I'm late. Two sixteen hour shifts and one eight hour day means Tuesday really doesn't exist for me! But got up today thinking of a few quotes some could live by (or not) and so: Tue'day's Quotes are here and I don't know who said them or if they've been said at all. If you know, tell me and I'll give credit where credit's due. You have any particular quotes or sayings you like, or live by, add them in the comments. We can all use new ideas to make us think about what we do (or say) day-to-day.

My Dad said this a lot, don't know where he got it from but I like it!
- See me fighting a bear in the woods, help the bear!



- Without a sense of urgency, there is no pleasure in desire.

- Happiness isn't found in perfection, you find it by accepting life's imperfections.

I'll end with a few I say often that are mixed up as hell but recognizable (or not!)

- My nose wasn't always this pretty, it's new because I cut the old one off to spite my face!

When I'm done digesting the foot in my mouth, I'll finish what I was saying.

- I'll bury the hatchet - you might not like where!

- Keep kissing ass, you'll always smell shit.

Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele


Thursday, September 1, 2016

New release - TWICE THE BURN





Blood ties change with just one bite!



Julius Talmane turns Isaiah Sims because he desires having him forever. The Triumvirate has little choice but to give its blessing considering Julius is not only its third member, he’s Layne Indigo’s best friend. What he didn’t see coming is falling for one woman he should never ever dream of touching.



One creature seizes Piara Kaur Indigo’s attention; another is thrown in her lap. Not only does she crave both, together, she intends to keep them. Their inability to hide shared carnal desires from Piara’s son, Layne, the strongest, most magical vampire alive, may well spin civilization toward destruction. Nature is on a rampage and no one is safe!

**Multicultural/Interracial MMF Romance**



The Triumvirate – Books 1 & 2 half price
at $1.49 this weekend only




WHITE BLOOD

When bitten, blood runs in one color.

Cayson left Jackson and he's pissed off—Jack has one question: "How many vampires banged your ass?"

**Interracial MM Romance**



I WON'T STOP

Ancient blood runs deep and it's much colder!

Layne Indigo threw a racist prick out the window of a high rise office building in White Blood. See what he's up to in the second Triumvirate story.

**Multicultural/Interracial MMF Romance**



TWICE THE BURN

Normally better at camouflaging what he felt, Isaiah shivered as if someone walked over his grave. More importantly, why had the monster set up shop in his psyche? Bastard continued to sift through every open pathway stealing bits and pieces of his mundane life. “Get the fuck out!” he growled.

“Ice, dude!”

Looking up he realized not only the chef eyed him, two other employees peered at him through shelving. “I’ll be back.” Both men stepped aside when he limped past and headed up a flight of stairs to his spacious apartment. Locking the door, he immediately began to strip clothes off on the way to his bathroom. “No, no, not now, not a man.” Don’t let him see! Stepping in the shower, he set the faucet to spew tepid water down his body which, though it felt overheated, continued to tremble as though ice water sloshed through his veins. “I will kill you if I ever lay eyes on you.” Christ, he’d never felt one like this, not attached to every sensual nerve linked to his brain cells, not burrowed so deep inside him… “Jesus, God, help me.” He allowed water to sluice down his back while soaping his chest and belly. Reaching his crotch, he begged, “Please, please don’t watch me.”

* * *

Julius had dematerialized and ended standing in front of a mirror in his suite’s bathroom thinking first thing he should do is inform Layne. Empathic individuals were scarce and many of those surviving had been mustered by vampires into service, their abilities honed and used as instruments against their own people.

“Not him, not Isaiah Sims. Leave him be.” Julius never desired anyone this much except… No! He thought he’d shoved her from his mind. Falling the fuck apart. Ignoring his own advice, Julius planted himself in the man’s psyche where Isaiah discovered him immediately, felt Julius’ furtive tentacles reach into every corner of his brain snatching parts of his life. “Christ, he almost controls his power.” Many empaths shut down completely by leaving society and they subsisted away from anything living. Some lost their minds and lived out remaining days in mental institutions while many more, unable to handle the cacophony of voices as well as feelings rattling through their heads, ended their lives before they even reached adulthood.

Julius had travelled up steps with Ice and entered a large apartment where he undressed, scrambled through an airy room into his bathroom, and turning water on, he stepped under a cool spray. Julius grasped every move, he even began to stroke his cock in time with Ice until he made a fantastic discovery. His heart thundered at learning Isaiah had yet to give himself to a man, take pleasure the way he always dreamed. “Mine!” Julius exclaimed.

Trying to remain quietly ensconced in Isaiah’s head wasn’t easy. In fact, he failed miserably as his own neediness swept through his body and rendered his dick so hard his vision blurred, but then Isaiah pleaded, Please, please don’t watch me. Agony in his words dropped Julius to one knee.

Julius Talmane’s existence had become one of imparting pleasure to anyone interested. Stay in his head, give him what he craves. “What the fuck!” Julius, unable to regain his feet, couldn’t find it in himself to disobey such a heartfelt cry. “I can’t do this,” he whispered as he relinquished Isaiah’s mind.



Growl and roar-it’s okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Take A Shot...

Pic of 1, 2nd is Federal 357 magnum
At winning one of three great prizes using below to promote the release of TWICE THE BURN, third book in The Triumvirate erotic vampire series. Two entrants will win one each of a beautiful bullet necklace valued at $20 (view sample) and a third entrant will receive a full PDF set of the series, a $9 value. No purchase necessary but if you or someone you know is looking for a bloody good read, book releases at All Romance Ebooks August 31, 2016. First two books, WHITE BLOOD and I WON'T STOP were both ARe bestsellers in their respective categories and they are available HERE.

Go ahead, take a shot!

TWICE THE BURN

Blood ties change with just one bite!

Julius Talmane turns Isaiah Sims because he desires having him forever. The Triumvirate has little choice but to give its blessing considering Julius is not only its third member, he’s Layne Indigo’s best friend. What he didn’t see coming is falling for one woman he should never ever dream of touching.

One creature seizes Piara Kaur Indigo’s attention; another is thrown in her lap. Not only does she crave both, together, she intends to keep them. Their inability to hide shared carnal desires from Piara’s son, Layne, the strongest, most magical vampire alive, may well spin civilization toward destruction. Nature is on a rampage and no one is safe!

**Multicultural/Interracial MMF Romance**


“You okay, man?”
Snatched into the present, Isaiah twisted to look at the chef. “I’m good. Why?”
“Look like you saw a ghost.”
Bette’s exact words. Normally better at camouflaging what he felt, Isaiah shivered as if someone walked over his grave. More importantly, why had the monster set up shop in his psyche? Bastard continued to sift through every open pathway stealing bits and pieces of his mundane life. “Get the fuck out!” he growled.
“Ice, dude!”
Looking up he realized not only the chef eyed him, two other employees peered at him through shelving. “I’ll be back.” Both men stepped aside when he limped past and headed up a flight of stairs to his spacious apartment. Locking the door, he immediately began to strip clothes off on the way to his bathroom. “No, no, not now, not a man.” Don’t let him see! Stepping in the shower, he set the faucet to spew tepid water down his body which, though it felt overheated, continued to tremble as though ice water sloshed through his veins. “I will kill you if I ever lay eyes on you.” Christ, he’d never felt one like this, not attached to every sensual nerve linked to his brain cells, not burrowed so deep inside him… “Jesus, God, help me.” He allowed water to sluice down his back while soaping his chest and belly. Reaching his crotch, he begged, “Please, please don’t watch me.”
* * *
Julius had dematerialized and ended standing in front of a mirror in his suite’s bathroom thinking first thing he should do is inform Layne. Empathic individuals were scarce and many of those surviving had been mustered by vampires into service, their abilities honed and used as instruments against their own people.
“Not him, not Isaiah Sims. Leave him be.” Julius never desired anyone this much except… No! He thought he’d shoved her from his mind. Falling the fuck apart. Ignoring his own advice, Julius planted himself in the man’s psyche where Isaiah discovered him immediately, felt Julius’ furtive tentacles reach into every corner of his brain snatching parts of his life. “Christ, he almost controls his power.” Many empaths shut down completely by leaving society and they subsisted away from anything living. Some lost their minds and lived out remaining days in mental institutions while many more, unable to handle the cacophony of voices as well as feelings rattling through their heads, ended their lives before they even reached adulthood.
Julius had travelled up steps with Ice and entered a large apartment where he undressed, scrambled through an airy room into his bathroom, and turning water on, he stepped under a cool spray. Julius grasped every move, he even began to stroke his cock in time with Ice until he made a fantastic discovery. His heart thundered at learning Isaiah had yet to give himself to a man, take pleasure the way he always dreamed. “Mine!” Julius exclaimed.
Trying to remain quietly ensconced in Isaiah’s head wasn’t easy. In fact, he failed miserably as his own neediness swept through his body and rendered his dick so hard his vision blurred, but then Isaiah pleaded, Please, please don’t watch me. Agony in his words dropped Julius to one knee.
Julius Talmane’s existence had become one of imparting pleasure to anyone interested. Stay in his head, give him what he craves. “What the fuck!” Julius, unable to regain his feet, couldn’t find it in himself to disobey such a heartfelt cry. “I can’t do this,” he whispered as he relinquished Isaiah’s mind.

Life is complicated, it’s loud. Death arrives silently.

Tue'day's Quotes

Early Tuesday I woke up and put on a sweatshirt it was so godawful cold! I'm dreading winter already and it's only midsummer. WTF Mother Nature?

A few quotes from me to dwell on before Jack Frost truly arrives...

-Just once I'd like to see Mother Nature's ass make a snow angel.

-I imagine Mother Nature is Satan's redheaded stepchild so who the hell is Father Time?

-Soup is leftover bits from a real meal.

-Kill Jack Frost, keep warm weather alive!

-Where the fuck does Jack Frost live and who supplies his energy?

-Let's get Father Time's feelings on life before he ages us beyond recognition.

-Life would be sweet if we sent Mother Nature, Jack Frost and Father Time straight to hell! Let the devil deal with that shit!

Too fucking cold to think warm fuzzy thoughts about coming cold weather holidays, rotting pumpkins left by trick or treating folks, increased utility bills, shoveling snow, mud all over my car from poorly plowed and cared for highways, bare trees that were so freaking beautiful in spring and fall - Jesusfuckingchrist, I've depressed myself!

Wait, a chuckle slipped out as I thought: Let's put all dead leaves we rake in Mother Nature's yard along with every pothole we bang into throughout winter. See if that bitch can find a cute pair of gloves to keep her hateful fingers warm as she cleans that shit up!

And I was too damn cold to get up and do this on Tuesday as I stayed buried under covers and in flannel pj's!

Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Tue'day's Quotes

loved Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. Maybe you'll find something to like too and perhaps share one each day.

Ayn Rand in 1925
Ayn Rand certainly had something to say.

-We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force. (Wow!! Are we there yet?)

-There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil.

-Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves - or whether it should be ours here and now and on this earth. (Yeah, that!)

-Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver.

-Run for your life from any man who tells you that money is evil. That sentence is the leper's bell of an approaching looter. (found on Bing)

You may ask why there are only five? I'm kind of thinking repeat #1 because maybe we are there. Repeat #3 - I feel it is spot on.

Find many wonderful quotes at - http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/

I leave you with a couple of mine:
Growl and roar - it's okay to let the beast out.
Life is complicated, it’s loud. Death arrives silently.

Friday, August 12, 2016

White Blood - The Triumvirate

Vampires, alive and well, are feared by many and shunned for their strength, magical powers, and eternal life - but they are here to stay.

Say hi below for a special prize!




WHITE BLOOD and I WON'T STOP: All Romance Ebooks bestselling vampire, interracial, and LGBTQ romances.

Available at All Romance Ebooks and Amazon


In a society full of deadly vampires, discrimination of any sort should have no place. Yet intolerance continues to haunt Cayson Covett who returns to his hometown a changed man. He is a powerful creature who yearns to rekindle his romance with the black man he can’t forget.

Curtain, a small racially divided suburb of Charleston, is where Jackson Reynolds almost took Cayson’s virginity. Now Cay intends to give Jack what he wanted. First, he must see to the vampire Triumvirate’s request to punish not only vampires who seek to destroy humans, but he must disband or eradicate Curtain’s hunter cell—a bigoted group headed by Jackson.

An Interracial M/M Vampire Romance


“Glad you brought one for yourself. I want to talk.”
“One’s for Kene who I’m calling to come back so I suggest you leave before he gets here.” She scowled at Jackson. “You know he’s at his daddy’s place.”
“Who are you talking about?”
“From the description those idiots you employ gave Kene, it was Cayson who dropped into Shadows. You need to go to him, Jack.”
“You don’t understand.” He sat forward and massaged his pounding temples. He wanted to tell his sister everything. She knew he was gay and, God, he loved her for not divulging his secret.
“You’ve pined for that man long enough and if you don’t claim him, some sexy ass vampire is going to snatch him from under your nose.”
If you only knew. A picture of the sexy blond vamp standing beside Cay in the magazine rolled through his mind. “What makes you say something like that?”
“They’re not afraid to flaunt man love.” Marty had also told Jackson he’d do the right thing in his own time. That time careened toward him.
Women he encountered and occasionally dated never pushed. He thought they walked away because everyone in Curtain heard stories about him and his hunters. Hell, could he be sending some unknown signal that nothing in panties interested him? “Those bloody bastards.” He ran hands over his face. “I wish they were all dead.” For more reasons than one. How many had taken Cay?
“Jackson. Momma would turn in her grave. She always reminded us that, like humans, not all of them are bad and they deserve a place in God’s world too.”
“So I’ve been told once tonight.”
“Good. Cayson must feel as I do.”
Jackson couldn’t bring himself to tell her why Cayson felt the same. Like their mother, she exhibited tolerance for the bloodthirsty beasts. “It doesn’t matter now.”
“I think you’re lying.”
He was. Jackson wanted nothing more than to go to Cayson, finish what they started that night. Do things to him he only dared envision. Careful to go far from Curtain to relieve his base desires, men he picked up didn’t ask names. Fuck! Jackson sought Marty’s approval. “How would the others respect me if they knew I was…”
“Gay? Respect has nothing to do with whom you love, Jack. It has to do with who you are.” Moisture brimmed in her brown eyes. “Damn it, Jack, screw them. You deserve some happiness.”
“Kene?”
“Funny how he never found out considering he knew of you and Cay’s friendship in school and his mother always liked Cay coming over after games. I think she believed he was happier away from his daddy.”
“Not sure anyone liked a white boy tagging along.”
Marty walked over and ran fingers over his thick hair. “Kene won’t walk away but if he does, he loses more than you.” She reached for her cell phone and pushed one button.
“You got him on speed dial?” That made Jackson grin.
“Unlike you, I don’t plan to let my man get away.” She poured on her sexy voice. “Hey, Kene, seems Jack has to run out so hurry back to keep my company.”
He stood and walked toward the hall waiting for Marty to hang up. He asked, “Did Momma…”
Marty nodded. “I hid scared to death when you thundered in the house and ran upstairs that night.” She walked over and clutched his hand. “I was never so proud of her when, after the sheriff told her everything with a nasty smile on his face, she asked that bastard if he was mad you had someone to love or was he just jealous it was a rich, pretty, white boy.”
“All these years and you never told me that?”
“You were very angry after that episode. I was afraid to mention Cay again.” She kissed his cheek. “He’s here now, Jack. Don’t let him go again.”
“I didn’t let him go, Marty.”
“His daddy did that, don’t let him win again.” Her eyes pierced him. “Because I think Cay might help you come to terms with how our world is today.”
“He can’t change what I feel about those monsters.” Tell her Cay is one of them!
“Stop labeling people, Jackson. Our government along with their Triumvirate monitors devious activities on both sides. Stop making it your problem.”
“I won’t let them hurt us.” He revealed his weapon.
“Momma believed love to be a powerful potion.” She hugged her body. “I pray she was right.”
“Where’s Esme?” He searched for a way out of giving in to his desire.
“She took a plate to the guesthouse earlier. Go, Jack, Kene will be here any minute.”
Leaving, he reached his car and stopped. Wind had picked up a little and Jackson swore even trees whispered the word—monster. Slipping behind the wheel of his low-slung sports car, it played repeatedly in his head yet it didn’t have enough power to stop him from barreling down the road and across railroad tracks dividing Curtain into a black and white map.
Jackson couldn’t leave Cayson alone. He wanted to and, Lord knows, he should because if others found out all hell would break loose.
Stepping from his car, he recalled times he had driven by Cayson’s house hoping he’d be there. After a few years, he gave up. Then the vampire outbreak arrived and taking up arms against those believing they had a right to drain life from humans helped him forget. Removing his gun, he dropped it on the seat before closing his door. Jackson mumbled to himself, “Please don’t turn me away.” He would lack courage necessary to come back again. He climbed steps two at a time. Cayson’s front door opened before he knocked and it felt as if Jackson’s heart dropped into his stomach.
Cay gazed at him and softly said, “I’ll never turn you away.”

Read more under EXCERPT tab.
Visit Inner Goddess August 11-14th to find some great MM summer reads
and there are prizes!

 Growl and roar-it’s okay to let the beast out. - jhalisteele



Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Tue'day's Quotes

Today I chose Earl Warren for seven quotes - one for each day.

Since the Summer Olympics is in full swing in Rio and I'm glued to the TV (GO TEAM USA!), I saw the sports quote and decided to lead with that one. After looking him up on Wikipedia, I realized he was a pretty great person so I headed over to: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/. I like his quotes, they hit home on many levels.

Chief Justice Earl Warren
-I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.

-The censor's sword pierces deeply into the heart of free expression. (Yes... Yes.)

-If it is a mistake of the head and not the heart don't worry about it, that's the way we learn.

-Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile, I caught hell for. (smile - it's true for me, what about you?)

-Ben Franklin may have discovered electricity- but it is the man who invented the meter who made the money. (You gotta love this one! lmao)

-To get what you want, STOP doing what isn't working. (Enough said.)


Ending with this one and did not realize Miranda Rights were either said by him or attributed to him. I should have paid more attention in social studies because it speaks volumes!!

-Prior to any questioning, the person must be warned that he has a right to remain silent, that any statement he does make may be used as evidence against him and that he has a right to the presence of an attorney, either retained or appointed.

Dwight D. Eisenhower nominated Earl Warren to serve as the 14th Chief Justice of the United states and he held that office from October 5, 1953 to June 23, 1969.

Read more on Earl Warren: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Warren



Hope you found one or two you liked and will remember.

Stop back next Tuesday for a few more Tue'day's Quotes.

I leave you with one of my own:

Growl and roar - it's okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Tue'day's Quotes

Today, I chose John Milton, poet, historian, writer, and Paradise Lost - I've never read this story. Or is it a huge poem? I feel as though I should simply because many of the quotes make me think. My understanding is it revolves around Satan, Adam and Eve, either their or man's fall from grace, cruelties of them or man, and God's place in all of this.

Sounds as though enough is going on to keep me thinking so it is certainly going on my TBR list.

A few quotes:

“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven...”

“Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven.”

“Did I request thee, Maker, from my clay to mould me man? Did I solicit thee from darkness to promote me?”  

“Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.”

“For so I created them free and free they must remain.”

Then I found the first quote, from what I've now decided is a poem, written differently -

“A mind not to be changed by place or time.
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n.”  

Yes, I really want to read the full poem...

Growl and roar - it's okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Beautiful Babies!

I have beautiful babies and I wanted to share them with anyone who drops in. Each is so special in their own way.

My big guy, Lord Greystoke, has eyes that rival the rarest amber! He's part Maine Coon, weighs in at 20+ pounds and is diabetic. However you can see he's not overweight. Pic is 4-5 years old and he hasn't changed a bit. Guess he was genetically predisposed to battle this disease. Grey is 16 and get's 2 shots almost everyday! The days I miss are few and far between and he's okay with that since he hates them.

Also, I love him the most - he's my oldest and, damn it, don't fall for that 'I love all my children the same' BS. I've had him longer, I've loved him longer, and it's okay for me to say I love him the most.


If I had two children, I'd still love Kid, my first and only child, more! Probably why I only have one.


Next, in the bag, is Wolfdancer who has magnificent green eyes. A rescued stray whom I found without fur and his eyes were not even open. Vet thought he was about 5-7 days old and said he wouldn't live through the night.

September coming, he celebrates 15 years of life in this world!

Then their is Jewel named so because she turned up on my porch with a bb in one eye. Though you can't see it in this lousy pic where she's napping with her brother, Grey, that remaining eye is a bright yellow jewel. Still partially feral, she's camped out with us for 9 years and loves to sit by me, sometimes in my lap, as long as I don't make any sudden movements. She does not tolerate being picked up or handled in anyway. Boy, getting the flea medicine on her is a battle royal! Let's not talk trapping her for a visit to the vet. It's damn near impossible.

One day I'm going to take better pictures...no, probably not. I hate taking pictures - a lot!


Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Creative Juices...

Have overflowed!

I can't stop, or I Won't Stop, fiddling with Movie Maker! I futzed around all day listening to music and picking out pieces I think I might use. A friend did tell me it was addictive! I remember when a few years back I got hooked on making trailers for my books.

I'd forgotten how much I loved it.

However, tapping another part of the creative masterpiece that is my brain has sparked an out of control monster. I want to update videos, make videos, watch videos but, alas, I must write books for all these damn video images that now plague my mind. That's a bi-product of surfing through a multitude of sounds!

Here's what I came up with last week for White Blood and, yes, I Won't Stop is next!

Both books are available at
All Romance Ebooks
Amazon

And the third, Twice the Burn is around the corner - IF I stop making videos!



Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.


Wednesday, June 22, 2016

WIPped UP

       People often ask me where my book ideas come from, how do I think up storylines.

Most times I can’t answer them and if I do it’s with, “I don’t know, these things just live in my head.”

Does it get noisy and crowded sometimes?

“Yes, which is why it’s important I pry them out in the form of writing it all down.” I have a WIP folder that if printed would use reams of paper!

That’s usually when they tell me I’m crazy. Oh well. Really, I’m not crazy, at least I don’t think so, though I could be. WTF, now I’m wondering but that’s another story, another medication, another day.

I’ll try and explain. Seeds usually sprout while I listen to music and I am a fanatical enthusiast of New Age, Soundscapes, Relaxation genres. No words, only instruments and their awesome interpretations of various moods. Today I heard a song on my cable’s Music Choice channel by Aeoliah titled ‘Always’ from the CD Divinaura which caused me to run right over to Amazon Prime and listen again. Anyway, I then subscribed to Aeoliah’s YouTube channel. BIG mistake—I’ll surely find more inspiration than I need!

Here’s where I need you to follow me down the winding written road of storytelling to see how things hurdle into my imagination. Doing some promoting today, I took a look at Healing Hell’s cover. The picture includes a long wooden pier jutting over water. The image, along with listening to the song repeatedly, stirred this little piece out of my head:

This time she’d make it.

Having donned a warm, weatherproof jacket, she struck out for the spot she knew held a doorway to her dreams. Feet sank into soft, pink sand as she wound her way toward an outcropping of massive, jagged boulders and after circling countless mystical granite peaks designed to shelter the enchanted place, she sped toward her destination.

She could see it now.

In front of her oranges, yellows, and sun-setting purple streaked the sky over a meticulously built plank walkway with no end in sight. As she drew nearer, storm clouds began to gallivant overhead, fat rain drops pelted her as light disintegrated inviting darkness into its realm.

“I’m here.” His voice beckoned her onto the wide, wooden path stretching between tiny cabins sitting to either side on stilts. Would he, or had he already summoned those who resided there?

One step, then another, and another. She glanced over her shoulder and watched swells of ocean waves erase her lone footprints...

This time she’d make it.

This will now go into the overstuffed WIP folder entitled ‘Wooden Walkway’. Every so often I’ll pull it out and roll it around in my head and who knows, one day it may grow into a full-fledged novella.

The kicker—if you know me, you can be assured I will dig up the devil, one of his kids, maybe two or, perchance, find an angel willing to bounce back and forth from Heaven to earth and sometimes make his way into hell. Also, since we’re on the subject of things in my head, you should be forewarned if you do see it again she’ll surely have at least two men because perhaps the devil will bring a minion, and all I can say is the angel better have a male friend or he can’t come! Should none of these ideas pan out, I’ll bring in a big cat or wolf shifter and they can keep her company. Heck, they might want to play with her together despite their natural aversion to each other, shoot, they could even dally together while she watches. Hmm, a vampire or two! Should none of these ideas appeal to her—

I’ll kill her and put another woman in her shoes.

That’s all I’m saying.

Get out and enjoy the weather. When you return, read a good book.

Growl and roar-it’s okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele

Thursday, June 2, 2016

A Maddening Blip Across My Screen

Withdrawal begins as I wean myself from cable.

Funny thing is I bitch about there never being anything on. Nothing, nada, zip! I don't believe I've seen a new movie listed for weeks and for what I paid, I could have gone to a movie 2-3 times a week without reaching my monthly bill total. I have a few shows I watched regularly, only one on a premium channel. That's considering if you don't consider GSN, the Game Show Network, and Esquire TV premium channels. My cable company does and, so, there goes Skin Wars and American
Ninja Warrior which I did enjoy. Wait, I can catch ANW on NBC, hmm, I'll need to reacquaint myself with ABC, CBS, NBC, and for the hell of it - my Samsung remote! I'll miss the occasional Turner Classic Movie but I got a monster Bette Davis box set and can now afford a few others I've longed to own. Since Lifetime and Hallmark Channels are also considered premium, I won't have to watch all those weepy Christmas movies either. Yay! I know, I could have turned them off or scrolled on by but it's creepy how they pulled me in and, as if they were train wrecks, I gawked...and gawked...and then gawked some more. (Most of them are reruns too!) lmao

Weather has turned and I should be in my garden or at least raking the remainder of fall leaves. I could paint before those cans sitting at my front door wither away from old age. I could read more, write more, walk once the knee is totally right. So many wonderful things to do if I haul my ass from my seat!

According to the rep, I continue to have a plethora of channels to surf and things to see. Best of all, I still have Music Choice which is where I find myself most of the time listening to Soundscapes or Smooth Jazz because those channels are awesome to use for background noise. I've found really great sounds there by the likes of Jesse Cook, Andre Ward (you gotta hear his Marvin's Medley), and many other talented musicians. Hell, sometimes I find myself tapping feet to oldies but goodies.

I'll be okay.

As far as Cinemax, HBO, and STARZ go, I'd grown tired of The Knick, never did watch Game of Thrones or get pulled into Outlander. I count myself lucky. I haven't checked but I hope I still have Sundance so I can catch Hap and Leonard, if not, so be it. At last there's the one show I watch on a true premium channel - Ray Donovan and, yippee, they left me with SHOWTIME.

Right now, I'm thinking Club Evolve - wonder what I can get those guys up to in my next short story. And there are so many Dirty Rotten Vampires. Ahh, freedom!

Yeah, I'll be fine... once I pry this remote from my cold, cramped fingers!

Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.-jhalisteele

Friday, April 22, 2016

Winging It Because...

I can cook, damn it!

Usually order chicken at work on Saturdays but this week I decided to cook my own and pack lunch. May not happen because Lord Greystoke has been underfoot from time he smelled the makings of a meal. Being king of the roost, he gets what he wants EVERY time.

My chicken usually doesn't look so pretty but today I hauled out the heavy frying pan and it definitely made a difference--arm burns included. Also, I figured if a restaurant chain can make deep fried mac & cheese I could deep fry stuffing right? And, yes, I use lard. Golden brown and yummy! Decadently delicious. Of course I spiced everything to hell and back with jalapeno, red chili, and my own mixture of suicide hot sauce which includes ghost pepper goodness (thanks Annette L.). Roquefort and bleu cheese dip includes a splash or two...or three...okay, six drops of Dave's Gourmet Insanity sauce (insanity@davesgourmet.com). Finishing  it off by making salad with iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber (Aimee D.-did you say can't have a salad without cucumber?), beets, carrots, sharp provolone cheese, chopped jalapeno (can't have too much hot! *smile*) and sweet onion topped with dried edamame for crunch, and then I'll add caesar dressing. The pickled egg, made by me, is because I love 'em.

Orange slices will most likely end up in the wine which is Wild Vines Blackberry Merlot (www.wildvines.com) served chilled in an old SPCA event glass. Everyone who knows me will laugh that I haven't thrown it out considering what happened with Poppy, the tom cat... Oh well, he's in a better place (but will miss chicken bits I use to toss out to him.)

I'm putting that behind me and enjoying this repast.

Ooh, desert--life is good and so is my dinner!

Growl and roar-it's okay to let the beast out.-J. Hali Steele

Sunday, April 3, 2016

I Won't Stop

Characters move into my head and start directing me in ways that use to be unimaginable. Allowing them control can be a bit scary but I've also learned over years permitting them freedom is a good thing! I'm working on White Blood a little each day to get it ready for a June release. Though plotted out, Cayson Covett's story took unexpected twists and turns giving me new ideas and another set of characters to play (or argue) with! I Won't Stop is practically done and it will roll out right behind White Blood in June.

Ancient blood runs deep and it’s much colder!

Layne Indigo’s existence abounds with extremes—men, women, his own bloodlust, and death. Especially death. He’s a supreme stalker of not only humans but his kind, vampires, some of which are so audacious he relishes ending their lives. Adding to his troubles, he becomes enamored with a cunning woman who hates vamps more than anything and Layne can’t let Emerald “Esme” Franklin out of his sight.

Carnage amongst both species has Layne uncertain of his ability to continue as a member of The Triumvirate that rules over vampires. One thing he is sure of after Emerald surrenders her virginity—Layne wants more. Until Esme belongs to him, Layne won’t stop.


A Multicultural M/M/F Vampire Romance

“She yanks your chain because she believes you have no interest in her.”

“Don’t remember seeking companionship or advice, Cayson.”
“You require someone’s counsel. Your best friend, Julius, is busy courting your inamorata’s mother, so you’re stuck with me.” Cay’s eyes remained glued on the couple at the bar. “Jesus.” Cayson adjusted his cock. “Except for Jack I’d be all over that. He’s magnificent.”
Layne grunted. “You tread close to death.”
“And which would I be dying for?”
Stretching his legs, slouching further into his seat, Layne turned to look at Cayson. Studying his protégé, the only vamp privileged to digest his blood aside from Julius, he smiled baring sharp fangs. “Both.”
“Hot damn, you mean a man…”
“What do you want?”
“Jack is in his office going over accounts and we couldn’t help but feel your displeasure.” Cayson Covett’s mate, Jackson Reynolds, owned Curtain’s Shadows as well as one with the same name an hour away in Charlotte, South Carolina. Vampires frequented both clubs in the wake of Jackson’s hunter cell disbanding. “Why didn’t you keep Esme in New York until she met your criteria to be set free?”
“She missed Curtain.” Layne felt Cay attempt to break his shield. “You know that’s not going to pan out. Ask what you want to know.”
“I spent a lot of time at your side learning to stalk strays and hunters.” All vampires knew Layne to be an extraordinary stalker and he’d trained many including Cay. “Aside from Julius you never gave a damn about what anyone wanted.”
He returned to observing the couple. “Did you not benefit from my kindness?” Attacked by an ancient undead creature, Cay’s lover had been near death before garnering two votes needed from The Triumvirate to gain salvation. Cay wasted no time turning Jack who soon after admitted his gayness along with declaring love for Cay. Both men grew up in Curtain and bore not only sexual discrimination, they now carried another label—monster.
A different world yet prejudice still reared its grotesque head.
“I can never thank you and Julius enough for allowing me Jack.”
Layne had turned one vampire in his lifetime, Julius Talmane who, before becoming one third of The Triumvirate, made Cayson. Layne smiled recalling the exorbitant fee his friend extorted from Cay’s racist father even though Juls would have done it for nothing. The council needed a fledgling with compassion to temper both factions’ desire to kill. Cayson, dying of cancer, met all requirements. He and Julius had come to care for the young vampire whom they imbued with enough strength to conquer fiends from either side of the equation—undead or human. “I don’t need thanks every time we meet.”
“What do you need?” Cay searched Layne’s face. “Why haven’t you taken her?”
“Not your business.” Why, indeed? Layne asked himself that same question every single day since the night he snatched Emerald away from everything she knew. He fingered a bullet hanging from a heavy chain around his neck. Fabricated from holy wood and fired from specially made weapons, it could destroy some vamps. Emerald had fired it at Layne after a ruckus between a hunter and some stray vamps that interrupted a celebration a few months ago in honor of Covett Petroleum’s newest oilrig off the coast of South Carolina. “When did you last enter a holy place?”
“I’ve made piece regarding my relationship with the Lord.” Cay nodded toward Layne’s hand. “I’ve wondered how you wear that thing so close to your heart.”
“Are you afraid of it?”
“We’ve had a conversation about fear.”
“We discussed Jackson’s fear regarding his sexuality many weeks ago behind your home. What are you most afraid of?”
“Losing Jack and living alone forever.” Cay shrugged. “Loss of my religious ideas.”
“Why did you let your beliefs go?”
“I don’t relish dying in a church surrounded at every turn by holy wood.”
“You only lose what you give away.”
“Not sure what the hell you’re talking about.”
“We take life, shit, we live on human blood but if we are to survive it’s important for our undead nation to remember we are also children of God.”
“Layne, are you okay?”
“I’m going to rip that motherfucker’s heart out and bury it so goddamn deep, the devil won’t find it.” Layne snapped his fingers and vanished with the male vampire who had dared touch Emerald in tow.

Growl and roar - it's okay to let the beast out. - J. Hali Steele