File        : Vampfam Games.xls
Description : A bit of brain fun from The Vampire Family!

Hey gang.  My computer wasn't cooperating last night so I didn't fully get into
the Eternal Press chat last night at Romance Junkies.  It would let me in for a
moment or two, only to close Firefox and reopen.  Go fig.

Of course, if you have questions for me, don't forget I'm always here on the
Yahoo Group to talk about horror, vampires, literature, and whatnot!

Do remember fellow EP author Leigh Wood will also be happy to answer any of your
writerly questions.  Her first Guest Author Day is June 16!

Alright Beach Baby Woody pals, next week you can spend some personal time with
yours truly indoors at the following virtual locations!

6/16 Leigh Wood at the Kristin Battestella Group
6/17 EP Erotica Authors at the Romance Bistro After Dark
6/18 Eternal Press Authors at the Rites of Romance

You can also stop by and say hi to me Today June 13 at the Amethyst Winter Loops

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmethystWinters_and_Company/

For a complete calendar of appearances for myself, Kristin Battestella, and the
rest of the EP peeps, check out the Kristin Battestella Yahoo Group. I also have
a files section their with some juciy excerpts!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kristinbattestella/

Kristin and I are also doing a co op blog at here livejournal page this summer:

http://leighwood.blogspot.com
http://kristin724.livejournal.com/


Woot!

LW

~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!
http://leighwood.blogspot.com

Hey folks.  Don't forget the Kristin Battestella Yahoo Group is turning into the
Leigh Wood Extravaganza all day Today, Tuesday, June 16.  Stop by for excerpts
and details about Leigh and her forthcoming Eternal Press release On The Way To
New Isosceles.  I'm sure she'd love you to drop in and say hi!


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kristinbattestella/

http://leighwood.blogspot.com

~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!


Kristin

The Vampire Family
by Kristin Battestella
Now in ebook or paperback from Eternal Press!
http://jsnouff.com/kristin

Greetings, Woody friends and family to my first guest author day at the Kristin
Battestella Yahoo Group!  I know a few of you from my touch and go time at the
group, but I'm looking forward to this intimate time together!  And oh yes, it's
going to be saucy!

I'm getting a few posts in during the wee hours before bed, but I wanted to
leave some treats for the night owls.  I know you're here, too-Kristin doesn't
write vampire and horror for nothing!

So, without further adieu, here's a bit about me and my South Jersey self!  (If
you're also from proper Jersey Devil country, do say hello!)

Married and content in keeping her apartment clean, Leigh Wood is not tech savvy
and fights with writing on her laptop between  bad baking and sewing projects. 
She prefers handwriting with weird pens and odd paper and collects animal prints
and records via rummage sales.  Leigh loves naughty fantasy and science fiction,
but sharpens her skills with nonfiction essays and reviews.  Her articles can be
found at I Think, Therefore I Review

http://ithinkthereforeireview.blogspot.com

or her own blog http://leighwood.blogspot.com

Previously, Leigh boldly wrote her memoir Cracked, and is currently working on
her next epic erotic novel-a fantasy tentatively titled Horns of Myleness.


I'll be back!

LW

~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!
http://leighwood.blogspot.com

Alrighty Woodsters!

Some of what I'd like to share on this my special day is actually already here
on the group!  If you're a member, sign in and check out the files Section!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kristinbattestella/files

In my Leigh Wood Slice of Heaven you will find the following:

-A preview of my work in progress erotic fantasy Horns of Myleness

-A PDF of my scandalous memoir Cracked

-Several treats debuting my forthcoming sf erotica On The Way To New Isosceles,
including raw looks at the first 3 chapters an a chunk of the first fifty pages.
Wow!

Tempted yet?

LW

~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!
http://leighwood.blogspot.com

It's time for the power lunch with the Woodster and her peeps!  Make sure the
boss isn't looking while we talk about sex, space, and sex in space!

Here's the blurb for my forthcoming release with Eternal Press, On The Way to
New Isosceles!

JJ was as hard nosed as they come-and them some. But, hey , the destruction of
earth did that to everyone. Humanity fractioned into three groups.
Affectionately known as 'the Shitters', the Shipper Brigade manufactures the
best space faring vehicles for themselves. Skilled fighters and martial artists
Combatants like JJ fight the Shippers for what they can-even though Combatant
numbers were severely depleted by the third faction.

The Nukes rescued chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons from earth's doom
and aren't afraid to use them. You can imagine JJ's surprise when she meets the
Nuke Lieutenant Rub. Their initial meeting didn't rub either the right way.
Despite her Nuke anxiety-JJ has to put it all aside. Her Captain and the Nuke
Colonel have struck a deal to defeat the Shippers once and for all. The Nukes
leave their tiny outpost on a far flung, degrading planet and join the
Combatants in taking the lush planet protected by the Shippers.

It's a long, tough journey on the way to New Isosceles, and the animosity
between Rub and JJ gets hotter by the day.......



LW

~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!
http://leighwood.blogspot.com

It's time to get to know all the saucy characters that populate On The Way To
New Isosceles, Woody gang!  Intitially, there were other viewpoints, but during
an EP readthrough, we thought it best just to go with all the JJ and Rub
juicyness!


An Isosceles' Who's Who

Lieutenant Jessica Johnson - Nicknamed JJ by her Combatant comrades, the strong
willed red head has seen much and harbors her share of ill will towards her
enemy the Shippers, and her former enemies the Nukes. JJ was a child when the
comet destroyed Earth, and the otherwise all business Lieutenant often has
nightmares reliving the destruction if her hometown in Iowa-the crash site of
the deadly meteor.

Lieutenant Jason Rubelli - Rub is the Nuke Ladies Man almost by default. His
wit, fighting prowess, charm and good looks make he an easy leader to
follow.Most of the Combatants has no trouble answering to Rub. JJ, however,
resents his presence and his attraction to her. Rub's not afraid to mix business
with pleasure, but his attitude begins to change once he's forced to bunk with
JJ.

Captain Scott Westmayer - Scott Westmayer knew JJ on earth, and their history is
very special to JJ. The only person allowed to call her Jess, JJ isn't afraid to
tell her Captain what's on her mind, and Westmayer always lends an ear. A dear
friend and command, Westmayer is always giving JJ the support she needs-except
when it comes to Nukes. Westmayer wants to see an end to the war, and he expects
JJ to follow his lead.

Staff Sergeant Miguel Carlos Santiago Rafael - Once the fresh Latino befriends
Rub, he's not afraid to discuss his sexuality with the Nuke. On the journey to
New Isosceles, Miguel develops into something of a double agent. Trusted by both
JJ and Rub, Miguel is able to give each of the Lieutenants valuable information
regarding their turbulent relationship.

Colonel Jackson Gauthier - The commended leader of The Nukes is determined to
keep the delicate alliance with the Combatants alive, even going so far as
agreeing to put the opposing Lieutenants JJ and Rub together. When Shipper
threats become a reality, Gauthier's leadership saves the day.

Private Ina Wu - Witty Korean Ina Wu is a swift fighter and swifter woman for
attempting to stay above ship politics and romances. She is perhaps JJ's closest
friend on board, often providing level headed advice and logical plans of
action-in ship operations on and off the bridge.

Private Kimmie Dejonaire - Although she is slightly ditzy and known more to her
fellow combatants for her bedroom services, Kimmie Dejonaire is an exceptional
hand to hand fighter. She gladly trades techniques with her new Nuke friends and
develops a special relationship with Nuke Corporals Tammy Lyn Filago and Miller
Worthington.

Corporal Tammy Lyn Filago - Tammy Lyn is lovingly called TLF by her male Nuke
pals, and not because its her initials. Her romantic history with Rub isn't
exactly clear, and it causes some awkward moments between Tammy Lyn and her
newfound superior, JJ. Despite their similar hot hot status, Tammy Lyn and
Kimmie become very close, even developing an unusual relationship with Mills
Worthington.

Corporal Miller Worthington III - Mills is somewhat of a geek or nerd. His
genius is behind most of the Nuke technologies, but the Corporal is also part of
the popular Nuke set. Rumors about his physical prowess spread through
theCombatant Mother Ships, and Miller quickly finds himself at the center of
both Kimmie Dejonaire and Tammy Lyn Filago's affections.

Corporal Edward MacDonald - Mac may appear stupid and living every moment
according to his Machismo nickname, but the Nuke is shrewd in strategy and
planning. Often the final piece of a Nuke puzzle, Mac also uses his wit for
elaborate pranks and relationship theories. A long time friend of Rub, Mac also
becomes a source of strength for JJ where the Nuke Lieutenant is concerned.



LW

~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!
http://leighwood.blogspot.com

My Woody peeps have waited form some treats long enough! If formatting and other
complications ahem arise, you can read more at my blog or my collaborative
livjournal with Kristin

http://leighwood.blogspot.com

http://kristin724.livejournal.com


PG Excerpt

The clang of high heeled shoes echoed down the corridor, and soon
enough,Lieutenant Johnson approached the trio. Rub thought she looked harsh and
formalenough in her GI pants and hard pony tail, but this must have been an
occasion! Her hair was clean, neat, and slicked back in a twist. She wore her
black dress uniform-buttoned perfectly from the collar to her knee grazing hem.
Medals adorned her left breast, and her hat remained tucked perfectly under her
arm.
The Lieutenant's only blights were the cuts across her forehead and a swollen
lip courtesy of him-if he did say so himself. He felt some pride in marring her
perfect display, though his nose was swelled, too; a small slight on his
otherwise exquisite appearance.

"Here we go, finally." He rolled his eyes more, but glanced back at this JJ. She
was a woman, after all, and Rub put on his air of cheeky charm. It worked on
every other woman, what was so special about her?
"Good Morning, Captain, Miguel, and you."

Ouch! She was one tough cookie, but that wouldn't deter his suave charm.
"Call me Rub, JJ."
"It's Lieutenant Johnson."

He smiled and looked down at the rigid seams of her hose. Where he disliked the
cold shoulder he had received from other Combatants, he enjoyed pissing this one
off. He probably shouldn't play the sexual card yet, but she was behaving like a
bitch in a man's world, and it was hot.


LW


~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!
http://leighwood.blogspot.com

Hey Woody Pals, here's an interview that Kristin and I did just before On The
Way To New Isosceles was accepted with Eternal Press.  You can see it also at
our blogs or in the files section here on the group.  Enjoy!

http://leighwood.blogspot.com

http://kristin724.livejournal.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/kristinbattestella



An Interview With Leigh Wood
By Kristin Battestella


-What is your real name?

Grr. Ashleigh Laura Wood.  I hate it.  How can something be so earthy and yet so
puck bunny?  Everyone calls me Leigh, but I suspect I might have to use the
Ashleigh bemoan for publication.  It means Ash Tree Meadow Laurel.  That's a lot
of ticks. I tweak a bit with Old English.  I think Leah means wood anyway.  So
it's a bit redundant even. Dang hippie parents.

-What are you working on now?

Everything and nothing.  I am a stickler for edits even when I'm probably beyond
the point of needing edits.  I'm at that point with the end of On The Way to New
Isosceles.  I handwrote Horns of Myleness during lunch hours at my day job, so
my next dive will be to type that whole shebang.  There's always random writing
bits, too, you know.  Poetry, nonfic.  I'd rather write about something than
talk about it. My short memoir Cracked is in limbo.  It could probably use
another editing run through.  It was accepted with Stone Garden Publishing, but
a few red flags in their contract forced me to withdraw.  A Contract isn't worth
my intellectually dignity.

-On The Way and Myleness, these two works are both erotica?  How did you handle
questions from coworkers?

I wrote On The Way at home and the handwritten Horns of Myleness was without the
erotic bits.  If I was still inspired by time I got home, I typed some kinky
material. So I've got half of Myleness handwritten with no sex-and its quite
good without it, honestly.  On the other hand, I've got some serious kink on my
laptop.  I think it would be an intriguing concept to do a `nice version' pure
fantasy romancey, but also issue a naughty version with the sex scenes.  It's
not a question of if the erotica is necessary or gratuitous,  I like to think
some readers of romance would rather speculate on the fade to black moments
themselves.  Others love the chuckle because they know what happens under the
sheets.  To each his own I say.  My coworkers would probably die of shock.

-Where can we read your work?

I've got excerpts of On The Way To New Isosceles on the website-graciously
sponsored at jsnouff.com- and I've got a free chance to read Cracked from my
blog and the Kristin Battestella Yahoo group. I've also reposted some excerpts
on blogspot. Currently that's it.  As I said I'm a stickler, and I'm not sure
anything is really in publishing form right now.  I'd be too touchy putting up
imperfect as I type editions of Horns of Myleness.  I'm hoping to submit On The
Way in January. It's topped 70k.  With edits I don't think it will reach 80, 75
and change most likey.  It was only supposed to be a short story and here we are
with a full length novel that beyond its genre, would be perfect for a big print
house.


-Do you recall your first encounter with erotica?

Hmm….I remember reading Arabian Nights for the first time and being really
shocked yet glad the whole story isn't in the abridged kids version.  That would
be really wrong. Orgies and incest, my God!  Who looked at this and decided that
if that was all cut out, it was okay for kids? A bit twisted somehow.  I also
really love Lady Chatterley's Lover.  It's not about the sex, really!  I've
written a few commentaries on Chatterley.  They're posted at the blog.

-You are quite a Christian woman.  How do you deal with the at odds nature of
Religion and sex?

I don't want to say they don't conflict, because they do. I can see how it would
offend some people. I just don't personally perceive things that way.  I didn't
think about writing sexual material until I first got involved with my husband. 
As a writer I had to get that emotional and, well yes, physical awakening on
paper.  Previously I found my romantic material too superficial and cliché.  On
The Way To New Isosceles is about two people who come to see the closure they
can find in each other.  The joy and companionship people should experience when
they are free and attracted to each other-despite what other circumstances such
as space factions and war may say.  God's best gift is said to be the love
between a man and a woman.  Erotic literature isn't anything he doesn't know
about.  It can't compare to the real thing but when done with love, intimacy,
and discretion, I don't see erotica as anything more than food for thought. 
Reading erotica is an experience just like any other emotional book.  Porn is
just weird and purely for gratification.  That's kind of sick, to waste one's
time on gratification instead of intellect.

-Now, I recall you telling me Horns of Myleness is about a love triangle.  How
is that about love and intimacy if there is an odd person out?

Horns of Myleness is a cautionary erotica tale I think.  It is dark,
conflicting.  I hope it really tears readers in two!  There names may change
yet, but should the Queen choose her King, who is really a beefy Arthurian
warrior, or shall she run off with the darling misunderstood younger brother? 
Of course, wars and fantasy and unicorns-yes unicorns-will interfere along with
emotions and betrayal and such.  During my writing, there were times I hated the
Queen for choosing one way or the other, ney then I loved her for following her
heart.  Unfortunately her choice is tied to the fate of Myleness.  You want all
to be happy, but you know it can't be so.  I hope readers will enjoy dividing
over the boys, ala `Team Aniston' and `Team Jolie'. I did.  Where On The Way is
about opening up, awakening, giving in to reasonable joys and desires, Horns of
Myleness is in a way the opposite. Affairs usually turn out for the worst. It's
what can go wrong when caution is put on the wind.


-Which genre do you prefer? Favorite authors and books?

The genre of the moment.  I like a lot of historicals and fantasies.  SF.  I
like Dune, Darkover, Gormenghast.  I was really disappointed with Mists of
Avalon, though.  I think I've grown out of MZB.  I love King Arthur and similar
stuff, but Mists kind of put me off it for awhile.  I read a lot of religious
material as well.  I'm all for embracing polarity, what can I say?


If you have any comments or questions about the publishing process, erotica, or
science fiction, please feel free to ask!

LW


~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!
http://leighwood.blogspot.com

A treat for my Woody Peeps!  You can read more raw sample chapters from my
forthcoming Eternal Press release On The Way To New Isosceles at my blog

http://leighwood.blogspot.com/

On The Way To New Isosceles, Chapter 2.
Please remember this story is not intended for minors or prudes.

Chapter 2

The drop ships neared the rocky surface and inched towards the ground. Landing
gear sprung forth, but 69 hit a rock outcropping and jerked into the air.

"Shit!" Miguel yelled again. Ina closer eyes, but the sleepless JJ was
unwavered. It wouldn't be pretty, but they'd land.
The drop ship slammed onto the asteroid and skidded into the wasteland's dirt.
The craft smoked, but the Captain held tight. The small ship sped to a rough
stop. It was stupid, dangerous, yet somehow fun-the perfect opportunity for JJ's
sarcasms.
"Another happy landing." She smiled and locked down her helmet.

The drop ships' hatches fizzed one after another, and the geared up teams filed
onto the hard terrain. JJ surveyed the battlefield with her rifle ready. She
knew the ins and outs of all the Combatant weapons, but every single Combatant
was just that-a hand to hand lean, mean, fighting kick ass weapon. But of
course, in situations like these, weapons from a distance were best.
"We made a noisy entrance. Someone should be here to great us."
"Don't jinx it." Ina followed her Lieutenant.
"How's she read, Sergeant?" JJ called Miguel forward.
The team tinker and engineer, Miguel pulled out his scanning equipment as
ordered. "We're all accounted for, so far. No additional signals or pathogens."
"The Nukes wouldn't need any pathogens here." Ina put forth. "Throw a rock and
crack our face shields why don't you?"
"I didn't come all this way to suffocate," Kimmie grumbled and turned on her
helmet's lights. Indeed the entire environment was deadly. Dark, no atmosphere,
and tough terrain as far as the dim combat headlights could show.

They marched on from the landing area, but JJ inched ahead of her crew. She
stopped and the column halted behind her. She motioned, and the team turned to
the left with her. Westmayer was a capable commander, in league with the other
Mother Ship Captains. Their fleet was small, but while the big wigs sat back in
comfort, it was JJ who led her shipmates into battle. It was how she got as far
as she did. She fought, and fought well. What else was there to do? JJ looked at
the digital maps lighting up her gear.

"The facility is this way." JJ climbed over a pile of natural rubble, and the
Combatants followed. They marched over the tough terrain, and JJ continuously
eyed her handheld diagram. Stones slid under their feet, and her stride lowered.
"It feels like we're descending."

Miguel brightened the lights on his helmet and surveyed the area. "Let me risk a
little more power. It looks like a crater rim there. We must be near the middle
of the hole now."
"I've see one too many of those." JJ pocketed her device. "This intel is wrong."
"Asteroids are constantly changing," Kimmie contested.
"Good for asteroids." JJ looked towards the microphone inside her helmet.
"Johnson to Westmayer."
"I've got something!" Miguel raised his arm and the column trudged idle again.
"Heat signatures. 98.6."
"Us?" JJ turned to the Sergeant.
"Are we moving?"
"Fuck!" JJ exclaimed. "Ambush!"

Lights beamed from the crater rim and pulse weapons blazed around the trapped
Combatants. She knew it! It hadn't felt right. She knew it was absurd, and now
it was too late.
"Take cover!" JJ ordered.
High tech colored lasers blasted all around. The unit fell to the ground one by
one-some as ordered, others victims of the Nuke's carefully laid plains. JJ
flattened herself on the ground, but in the colorful firelight, she saw Miguel
collapse next to her.
"Sergeant!" JJ called to him. "Miguel!"

JJ crawled through the crowded crater basin, careful of enemy fire and the
jagged rocks. Such a perfect set up! The sharp ground ripped the outer layer of
JJ's sturdy-but not full proof-spacesuit.
"Shit!"
JJ increased the speed of her spider-like crawl. She fumbled past her still
comrades, unsure of the direction she was going.
"Johnson to Westmayer."

There was no time to look at her data-not that it was accurate enough to help
anyway. JJ scrambled to get clear. Out of the shootout, she could fix her suit
and get back to the drop ships.
"Any drop ship, please respond."
Were the drop ships ambushed as well? Did they prep for rescue as was procedure?
"Shit. No." JJ approached the edge of the crater but looked back at the Nukes.
They closed into the crater and finished off any twitching Combatants.

"Any Combatant respond." Had she alone the wits to delay the inevitable? JJ
rolled across the crusted crater's edge. The gravel crumbled beneath her, and JJ
rolled down the sharp terrain. JJ groaned and screamed at the rocks sticking her
and tearing her suit. Sharp pebbles reached her skin and scrapped JJ's elbows.
Blood and dirt marred the rustling fabric.
"Oh! Ow! Fuck!"

Jagged jabs and hard rocks punctured through the space gear one fizz and pop
after another. JJ gasped and slowed her tortured descent. She rolled once more
and smashed her face shield against a rock.


LW

~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!
http://leighwood.blogspot.com

Hi Leigh,
Interesting Bio...different, and a bit funny...I think it must be unusual to
point out one's flaws, but you do it in such a delightful manner, I quite
enjoyed reading about you...Good job, and good luck with your writing
career....Tabs

A good blurb....gives a lot on information in a few words....good job....sounds
like my kind of book...I'll add it to my TBR list....Tabs

Hi Tabs!  Thanks for taking the time out for a Woody visit!

LW



~On The Way To New Isoceles
by Leigh Wood
Coming Soon from Eternal Press!
http://leighwood.blogspot.com


--- In kristinbattestella@yahoogroups.com, "Tabitha Shay" <tabshay@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Leigh,
> Interesting Bio...different, and a bit funny...I think it must be unusual to
point out one's flaws, but you do it in such a delightful manner, I quite
enjoyed reading about you...Good job, and good luck with your writing
career....Tabs
>