Osiyo~

Welcome one and all! Grab a beverage of choice, something sweet and sinful. No-no, not the men. What’s the matter with you? You know the hands-on rules… The guest gets first pick! 😉 Take a comfy seat for another, or a first, spin in the Round Pen.

I’m thrilled to welcome my wonderfully talented guest today, Rachel Leigh Smith, who is sharing their book, My Name Is A’yen with us!

Please show Rachel some real Ranch love!

Before I get to the nosy 5-3-4 part of this interview, tell us a bit about you.

I write romance for the hero lover. The hero is always my favorite character in a romance, and usually I have a difficult time connecting with the heroine. I frequently believe she’s not good enough for him, and/or despise her. Finding romances where it’s his story and he carries the narrative, is not an easy thing to do.

When I’m not writing I can be found doing counted cross-stitch while watching TV, devouring a book, or snuggled up with my half-crazed calico, Zoe.

Okay, I’ll begin with five questions, then follow with three more, and end with four final ones.

My writing area at the moment is a corner of the couch in my living room. What does your writing space look like?

I have a desk, in my bedroom. I have a few reference books on it, and the timeline for my A’yen’s Legacy series taped to the wall above my laptop. My mouse pad is one of my favorite Selina Fenech pieces, The storekeeper, and it’s a little bit of inspiration for me. It’s a young woman sitting in a stone chair writing in a book.

For a lot of writers it’s a life-altering event coming up with titles and character names. Others it comes as naturally as breathing. Which is it for you?

Character names are easy. They tend to come to me name in hand. Book titles tend toward easy as well, but series titles not so much. I write and think in series (and prefer them as a reader).

What advice would you offer aspiring and new writers?

I’m copying a published friend of mine. Finish your firfirst draft! Until you’ve written a whole novel, from beginning to end, you’ll never realize who you are as a writer, and you’ll never learn your process. I learned so much by finishing my first novel.

The constant shift of the industry makes me often scratch my head and ask ‘what next?’ So, what do you think it takes to be a successful author at the moment?

Determination and dedication to being the best writer you can possibly be. You have to be willing to keep learning and keep getting better. And keep producing! Don’t make the mistake of finishing a book, and doing nothing while you query or figure out what to do. Keep writing!

Who would you like to meet in the publishing industry- dead or alive- and why?

I would love to meet Sherrilyn Kenyon and have a fangirl moment. I love Dark-Hunter and The League, have a massive crush on Acheron, and am in awe of her imagination. I’d love to sit down and talk world building with her and how she keeps track of her worlds.

It’s time for 3 in 1! I’ll ask the questions and you answer them in one word. 😆

Favorite animal? Cat

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? Summer

Favorite food? Chocolate

Well done! 🙂

Okay, Flash four. Ready? What are you working on now?

I’m wrapping up the first draft on A’yen’s Legacy #4, Freedom’s Embrace.

What are you sharing today?

The opening paragraphs of my debut novel, My Name Is A’yen.

Three hundred sixty-six days and the images continued to haunt him. His screams and cries. Master’s whispered final words to not lose himself, no matter what.

Damn humans. Taking the one person he loved above all others and locking him in this hell called holding. Fitting, really, since A’yen Mesu’s entire life had been put on hold when the enforcers dragged him away. Loks Mé. Less than human. An alien. Nothing but a slave. One easily replaced since no one cared he was an expert cartographer in his own right.

A whirring sound filled the cell block. The mag-locks. Buyers. A’yen forced himself off his bed, went to the bars keeping him prisoner, and positioned his hands where he wouldn’t be forced to stand for who-knew-how-long in an awkward position. The cuffs on his wrists reacted to the mag-lock and stuck to the bars so tight he couldn’t get free if his life depended on it.

He kept his gaze glued to the floor to avoid punishment from the hold keeper. When a pair of small feet in black boots stopped, he stiffened. So far no woman had dared to stop in front of him. Due to fear, most likely. They didn’t understand most Loks Mé men couldn’t stand the thought of hurting a woman, or seeing a woman hurt, while they were helpless to stop it.

The feet stepped closer. “You were owned by a cartographer?” Her sweet voice didn’t mean she’d stay that way.

“Yes.”

“A member of the Guild?”

“Yes.”

“You can look up.”

He did, and the breath left his body. Five inches shorter than his six feet four, but finely-boned at the same time. Delicate. Hair dark as a black hole framed a kind looking face, with bright green eyes studying him. She glanced at her tablet again and he sucked air into his lungs.

Where can we find you and your books?

You can find me at my website, www.rachelleighsmith.com. You can also sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/Wqx6D. I can be found at www.facebook.com/rachelleighsmithauthor and sometimes on http://twitter.com/rachelleighgeek. You can also head over to my Pinterest and have a look at the boards for each book to see how I envision the characters and what the planets look like, www.pinterest.com/rachelleighgeek.

My Name Is A’yen, A’yen’s Legacy #1

They’ve taken everything from him. Except his name.

The Loks Mé have been slaves for so long, freedom is a distant myth A’yen Mesu no longer believes. A year in holding, because of his master’s murder, has sucked the life from him. Archaeologist Farran Hart buys him to protect her on an expedition to the Rim, the last unexplored quadrant.

Farran believes the Loks Mé once lived on the Rim and is determined to prove it. And win A’yen’s trust. But she’s a breeder’s daughter and can’t be trusted.

Hidden rooms, information caches, and messages from a long-dead king change A’yen’s mind about her importance. When she’s threatened he offers himself in exchange, and lands on the Breeders Association’s radar. The truth must be told. Even if it costs him his heart.

Where to buy it:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N06HCGG

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1120027890?ean=9781501424267&itm=1&usri=9781501424267

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/my-name-is-a-yen

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rachel_Leigh_Smith_My_Name_Is_A_yen?id=63tlBAAAQBAJ&hl=en

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id904469987

All Romance Ebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-mynameisa039yen-1703878-343.html

Where will you be next?

I’m doing a Facebook party this week. See my Facebook page for the event link pinned at the top.

I also have a question for everyone. Who’s your favorite romance hero?

Thank you so much for playing along Rachel! Wishing you much luck with your book and writing. I hope you’ll come visit again one day.

Dodadagohvi~