Andie M. Long wrote two full length
novels before Gabe and Stella entered her mind and so in her usual bonkers
fashion decided to self-publish the first novella, having not even written the
rest of the series. Something she has smacked herself in the face for since.
Part One of The Alphabet
Game went straight to Number One in The UK Amazon Kindle Erotic Short Story
chart. She has several published short stories and poems, including an upcoming
release for Cracked Eye. Andie has a regular blog at www.wordbohemia.com, ‘The Emergence of the
Invisible Writer.’
It’s the end of the games. The sexual alphabet is
coming to a close and Stella has a test to take. Arnie Gregory has been pushed too far and the
revenge plan becomes a fight for survival that not everyone around Stella can
win. Her stepfather, Mitch Daniels shows his true colours and there’s someone
else who hasn’t been totally honest about who they are. With fame for some and
infamy for others, The Alphabet Game ends with a kiss ...
Excerpt: From Novella 1 to avoid spoilers.
Getting sexually accosted in Starbucks wasn’t on my to-do list.
My stiletto heels were sharp, like the angles of my razor cut bob
and one tapped on the floor as I stood in line, impatient to get my hands on a
Latte. The intense aromas in the shop made me crave my morning drink even more.
I’d not had time for one before I’d left my apartment this morning, anxious to
be punctual for my appointment. I stared ahead at the menu board, careful to
avoid catching anyone else’s eye. My lips with their natural pout, enhanced by
rose gloss, smacked together as I anticipated my interview at Gregory & Sons,
a firm of Solicitors in Westminster in just shy of an hours time. Every time I
thought of it, butterflies tingled in my stomach.
Lost in the menu, I jump as a warm body brushes past my own, so
close I can identify him as male. I turn around, a flash of fire in my cheeks,
eyes narrowing.
‘I must apologise, I completely misjudged how to get past.’
I take in the businessman in front of me, holding his drink with a
firm hand. His laptop bag hangs over a broad shoulder. Dark brown hair curls
around the nape of his neck, like he’s so damn sexy even his hair wants to cop
a feel, and his icy grey eyes indicate the casualness of his apology, echoed in
his mocking tone.
I tuck my long fringe behind my ear and turn back to face the front.
I’m better off just ignoring the creep, hot or not.
‘Seriously, it was an accident. I’m not a pervert, honest.’
I remain facing the front but shrug my shoulders.
‘Well actually,’ he whispers and I shiver as his cool breath tickles
my ear, ‘I can be a little perverted, with the right woman.’
I give up and turn towards him, ‘Look, I’m just waiting in line for
a coffee, creep, so can you cease the schmooze and bog off? My only interest
this morning is in caffeine.’
He sighs, giving me puppy dog eyes and clutches his free hand to his
heart. I watch as he begins to speak, noticing he has a larger top than bottom
lip. It looks plump and lush and if he wasn’t a psycho I’d be tempted to bite
it. I move my gaze to his hand. Now I’m wondering how well defined his pecs are
under that shirt. I think I’d better request an ice cold mocha.
‘I’m jealous of caffeine. I can’t help it if your beauty knocked me
sideways on this gorgeous Wednesday morning. Please forgive me. I shall go and
weep into my flat white.’
I sigh, ‘go away,’ and I turn back to the counter, where the queue
has moved up and I hadn’t noticed.
I order my drink. I feel the loss of his presence and so turn around
to see where he’s gone. He’s taken a seat in the corner and is opening his
laptop. He sees me, winks and goes back to his screen.
Damn. Why did he have to catch me looking at him?
Typically there are no free seats by the time I’m served, so I
wander over to where he’s sitting.
‘Can I sit here without you leering at me? Can you reign yourself
in?’
He laughs. ‘I’ll do my best.’ Then he goes back to his screen.
I sip my drink. He’s gone from full on flirting to ignoring me.
Weirdo. I get out my mobile and check it for messages. My eyes keep leaving the
mobile and checking him out. Sexy, hot weirdo. His shirt is open and I see a
small smattering of dark chest hair. I feel my nipples harden under my blouse.
Christ behave Stella, I tell myself. It’s been so long since I’ve been flirted
with that I’m disappointed a pervert hasn’t carried on.
I see the time on my mobile and realise it’s time for my interview.
I take a last drink of my coffee. My hand trembles slightly as I replace the
cup on the saucer. I take a deep breath.
Sexy hot weirdo looks up, ‘You okay?’
I flick my hair, ‘Fine thanks. Have a nice day.’
‘You too. I hope to bump into you again soon.’ He holds out his hand
to shake mine.
I look at him and smile. ‘I’m not shaking your hand, heaven knows
where it’s been. See ya.’
I turn on my heels and walk out of the coffee shop.
Buy links:
BUY A TO E:
BUY LINKS F TO K:
BUY LINKS L to R:
BUY LINKS FOR S TO
X,Y,Z:
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Watch the Trailer:
1. Tell us about your book/books?
The Alphabet Game is a series of
four novellas which tells the story of Stella and Gabe. They both have ‘Daddy’ issues and work
together to bring down the men who have detrimentally affected their lives. As both men run a series of Sex Clubs called
The Rodeo, Gabe and Stella embark upon The Alphabet Game, working their way
through each letter, so that Stella can become a little more experienced. Don’t mistake that she’s all shy though. As she states herself, ‘in her head she’s all
kinds of wanton.’ Stella kicks ass!
2. How did you get started as a
writer?
I’ve wanted to write since my
twenties and spent hours thinking up books in my head, imagining them like
films or tv series, but never writing anything down. When I reached my forties, I decided it was
time to either write, or give up the idea.
I changed my degree course to encompass Creative Writing and never
looked back. I met a great group of
friends, discovered Camp Nano (where you team up with other writers to
encourage each other to get the words down) and wrote my first book, which is a
women’s drama, not erotica, as is my second.
I’ll release them at some point in the future, but Gabe and Stella
started rattling on in my head and pushed in!
3. What’s a typical day like for
you?
I never have a typical day and I
very much live life responding to the moment.
I work three days a week as a Research Administrator/Medical Secretary
and you can imagine my frustration if I’m typing patient letters and want to
type my books instead! When I’m at home, if the story starts coming, I just
declare to my partner and son that I mustn’t be disturbed and take myself off
to my room and write. I tend to write in
bursts. I always leave myself at a point
where I’m ready to continue, so I can get straight back into the flow. Each
evening I spend a couple of hours on the computer, going on Facebook, generally
chatting about books or answering emails.
4. Describe your workspace.
I write sitting on my bed. Back
against the pillow, legs straight in front with my laptop on a tray on my
legs. Notebooks and pen at one side of
me and the most essential item, Costa coffee at the other (I have a Tassimo
machine). That’s me all set. I face the window so periodically I can remember
I’m in the real world and look out at the sky and trees. Now I have a
conservatory, sometimes it’s legs up on the sofa with the conservatory doors
open instead.
5. Favorite books?
My utmost favourites are the
Mayfair Witches Trilogy by Anne Rice. They
are so involved. In her books Anne is so
vivid in describing the imagery of New Orleans that I feel like I’ve been there. That is something that I adore about a book,
when its descriptions transport you there. I also adore the Weather Wardens
series by Rachel Caine and the Succubus series by Richelle Mead. My family and friends were so surprised when
all my own books turned out to be non-supernatural! Of course I LOVED Fifty
Shades of Grey.
6. Tell us 3 interesting things
about you.
I’m totally awesome at baking,
cupcakes a specialty.
It once took me twenty-seven hours
to fly to Berlin from Manchester (an hour and a half journey). It’s a long story …
I was Head Girl at school.
7. Favorite quote:
“I like nonsense, it wakes up the
brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.”
― Dr Seuss.
8. Best and worst part of being a
writer?
The best part, apart from the
writing itself which I adore, is someone telling you that they loved your
book. It was so difficult for me to
actually put myself out there – to then get positive reviews has been so good
for my confidence levels, which tend to hover about my ankles. The worst part?
When I want to write but I’m doing something else and can’t get to it!
9. Advice to writers?
Realise it is NEVER too late. I could have written when I thought of it in
my twenties, but I actually think that writing in my forties has been the right
thing for me. Also realise that to get
people to read your work, you do, certainly at the beginning, need to lose your
protectiveness of it. Yes it’s your
baby, but if you don’t let bloggers and readers have it free of charge in
advance, you don’t get genuine feedback on how good/bad your product is. I’ve yet to make a profit from my novellas,
despite having sold over eight hundred copies (after buying the book covers and
giveaway prizes etc), but people are enjoying them and at this stage that’s
what counts, building a loyal readership and the satisfaction of having people
read YOUR words, there’s nothing finer.
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