Friendy Friday with Audra Hart and Autism Awareness

I wish I could recall the exact moment Audra Hart and I crossed paths. I imagine if it happened in a movie I would have been walking down a quaint small-town street when suddenly a shopkeeper takes me by the arm and sweeps me into her shop of wonders and becomes similar to a fairy godmother. Audra and I bonded over our love of romance, our passion for bringing autism awareness to the world, and the insanity of being parents of brilliant-but-challenging kids while trying to write, work, and function as an adult-type human being, especially one with allergies!

We did our first Autism Awareness event probably four years ago? She'll have to correct me. I wrote Blossomed as part of an anthology project that never got off the ground and spent a couple of years donating proceeds from that book during Autism Awareness month to organizations working with kids on the spectrum, and we've stayed friends through life's ups and downs, health crises, and the ins and outs of romancelandia.

This year we're back with a fantastic lineup of authors, bloggers, and promo folks from our romance community and it's all about sharing stories, educating each other, and celebrating love. The schedule is listed below and I'd love for you to join. There will be giveaways and contests, but mostly I want to celebrate all of you living life on the Autism Spectrum! We're also doing a fundraiser, so if you can help out by sharing the link or donating, we'd seriously appreciate it. For my newsletter subscribers, if you email me a screenshot of your donation or email me a link to your share at rlmerrillauthor@gmail.com, I'll be happy to send you an ecopy of my book Blossomed. You can join today on Facebook and check out the posts we've shared so far.

Today for Friendy Friday, I want to celebrate my love for this woman and all of her hard work!

Let's start by getting to know the woman behind the superhero by reading her answers to the World's Most Dangerous Interview:

Audra’s responses to interview questions

What’s one thing every reader should know about you?

I am reading/writing junkie! I love paranormal tales with tons of action. I have a crazy imagination and a rather naughty way at looking at love and relationships.

What’s your worst habit as a writer?

Finishing my stories! ARGH! I probably have close 50 stories in varying stages of completion. Pulling the trigger on writing those last two or three chapters to wrap things up is always a challenge for me. Invariably, I end up writing several different endings before I land on one I can live with. *Sigh*

Oh, and did I forget to mention that I am the Queen of Procrasti-Nation? Which may or may not affect the situation I just described above. *wink*

Have you had a major setback as an author, and how did you overcome it?

I met DB when I was nineteen years old. Truth be told, I fell in love by our third date. *wink* We dated for about six months and then moved in together, before finally getting married six or seven years later. We were married for almost 25 years, before he died three years ago of cancer. Since I have lost my mate of 30 plus years, depression has been my near constant companion. Sadly, there are days when I cannot even stand the company of my own fictional friends, however, it is getting better.

Thankfully, I am blessed with three wonderful sons, one granddaughter and two amazing daughter in laws who are my shining stars. My youngest son is autistic and 15. UGH… what a combo! But he’s the reason I get out of bed on the bad days. He’s my Sunshine. I love them all dearly.

Readers whom I interact with when I go on social media and fellow writers have been a huge help as well. A significant help, in fact. So, thanks guys!

Did a teacher in school ever encourage or discourage your desire to write? Care to share?

Yes, my high school English Comp teacher and a college professor who taught an Eastern Lit class both frequently suggested I write for publication. I have been writing since I was a kid, but with the advent of self-publishing online, well, here I am. *Ta-DaaaaI*

Name a liquid you’ve shot out of your nose while laughing… bonus points for what made you laugh.

Coffee, and it was HOT! What made me laugh? A very naughty minded fellow author, T Mike McCurley, who frequently keeps me in stitches via PM. His humor is woven throughout his writing as well. You should check his stuff out, but be careful about reading his stuff while drinking hot beverages. You’ve been warned. *Wink*

Give us a visual of you dancing. The Carlton? Napoleon Dynamite? Solid Gold?

Let’s just that Elaine from Seinfeld and I might have a thing or two in common. I am, however, a good CW dancer when I have a solid partner leading me. I LOVE two stepping and the Cotton-Eye Joe.

Which book boyfriend/girlfriend (wither one you’ve read or written) sets the standard for all heroes/heroines in your writing?

I work very hard to avoid comparing my work to that of anyone else, so when I am writing, my standard would be Lucian and Morna from the Airendell Chronicles. AC is my debut work. It was soooooooooo long I chopped it up into three full length books. Lucian is the epitome of the strong, silent type. Utterly devoted and one hundred percent alpha male. Morna is sassy and kicks fannies without slowing down to take any names along the way.

I’m also fond of Dark Anti-Hero types…. Sorta…. I love Cherise Sinclair’s lead character in “This is the Way I Am”. He’s a sexual sadist who is an amazing man, with a great deal of character. Reading that book was a real light bulb moment for me. Even a character who enjoys hurting others can be a good guys…. So, I often see shadows of Ms. Sinclair’s Master sadist in my stories. Gruff, dominating, sometimes cruel, but caring when it counts. I adore a bad man with a good heart. *Oh man! I just laugh snorted at my own cheesy-ness*

She's fantastic, she's hilarious and passionate, and she's got a new book coming out ANY MINUTE!

FREEING THEIR MISTRESS...

At forty years of age and forty pounds over society’s ideal weight, Sadie is a human woman with supernatural secrets. When a crappy divorce dumps her lovely round behind in deep financial straits with a special needs son to support, this go-getter seeks a lucrative job at Raven’s Keep. Taking a job at Tulsa’s ultra-exclusive BDSM club for paranormals is a risky move, but her back is against the wall. What’s an overworked and stressed-out, single mom to do but to go out to buy a few pairs of come-f*ck- me heels and then strut her stuff for tips? Right?

Co-Owners of Raven’s Keep, Roi Lyons, an ancient and powerful Spell Weaver, and Anton Dracul, a deadly vampire enforcer, have been closer than brothers for centuries. One is a voyeur with penchant for bondage, while the other is a savage sadist who demands whole-hearted submission from his women. Never in their wildest imaginings did they dare to dream that a sexy red-head with a pin-up girl’s body and enough determination to conquer the world would ever strut into their office and turn their entire world upside down. Can this mundane woman truly be perfect for… both of them? Well, the Fates never get it wrong, now do they?

Sadie is quickly dubbed Mistress Vanilla by the club’s patrons and soon finds an unexpected home with Anton and Roi at Raven’s Keep where many of her secrets are revealed. She resists committing to the men she has grown to love because she refuses to see herself as submissive, in any form or fashion. Outside threats and the utter support of the two Masters soon have Sadie reevaluating everything.

Can Sadie’s two fated mates help her tread the path to true freedom in a sexy pair of Come-F*ck-Me Heels?

You can get the buy link the moment it's available by following Audra at Audra Hart Writes Romance, or following her on Amazon. This series is hot and perfect for lovers of all things paranormal. I highly recommend it.

You can also meet Audra this weekend during our Facebook event. She and her fellow authors in the Tulsa Immortals series are doing a giveaway to help out our fundraiser. Check it out on her Facebook page and please join us at the event.

We've got an amazing lineup!

Schedule (Times are EST) SATURDAY, April 27th, 2019 6pm- Audra Hart 6:30 - MJ Nightingale 7pm - Meredith King/Davidson King 7:30 - Kym Grosso 8pm - Author T. Ashley 8:30 - Cree Storm 9pm - Author Amy Rattan 9:30 - Mellanie Szereto Author Closing Comments: - Audra Hart SUNDAY, April 28th, 2019 1pm - R.L. Merrill 1:30 - Kelli Smith - Totally Talented Promotions 2pm - Check This Out! Blog posting for GM Scherbert 2:30 - Jolanthe Aleksander 3pm - JF Holland Author 3:30 - Kayleigh Malcolm 4pm - AM Halford 4:30 - Lori King 5pm - Josette Reuel 5:30 - S.E. Isaac Closing Comments: - Audra Hart