KevaD: Under the Gun - Michael Mandrake -- AND a chat with Sharita Lira!!

Sharita Lira is the living host to several talented voices, including Michael Mandrake. She generously agreed to spend some time here today. So, allow me to introduce Sharita to those of you who may not be familiar with her:

Sharita lives east of me in the remote community of Chicago...

...where she gets along well with her neighbors.

She enjoys quiet time...

...and recycling shopping bags.

Please welcome my friend, Sharita Lira.

Q) What inspired you to write professionally?

SL: Something in my head went off and said, hey you need to do something you love to do and maybe try making a little money off it. Oh and the friends encouraged me as well.

Q) Writing fiction, erotic or otherwise, takes a writer out of their everyday life and comfort zone. To go there, writers usually insert themselves in one familiar place. I know one author who actually does his best writing in Starbucks. Another rented a room above a garage two blocks from her house. Where do you write?

SL: I write at the kitchen table most of the time only because there really isn’t room anywhere else in the house at the moment. We’re looking to create a writing space now. J

Q) As a writer, what is your ultimate goal?

SL: My ultimate goal is to satisfy my readers with stories that evoke emotion, engage and teach. I strive to get better at this everyday. I read all I can from other experienced authors, I research topics, articles on writing. I take classes as well.

Q) How do you juggle home, career, family, and writing?

SL: I really suck at it. It seems I never have enough time in the day especially now that I work outside my house but I still sucked at it when I was home all day. My family needs more attention. Just ask them. *giggles*

Q) Why did you choose to write under a pen name, and how did you decide what name to use?

SL: Well I technically have 4. 3 professional pennames. Michael Mandrake, Rawiya, and BLMorticia and then my fanfic name SaharaDuran. Michael is the gay male muse. I wanted something different and I thought Mandrake fit. Also, I recently learnd Mandrake had something to do with gay males. *laughs* Rawiya is Indian for storyteller. Rawiya ia the sensual muse that tells contemporary romances regardless of orientation. Then, BLMorticia ia my original writing muse. At 19, I begun writing under this name when posting at ERWA. She’s my oldest muse and the snarky one who is the rebel of the group. They’re all facets of my personality.

Q) Briefs or boxers on your men? Why?

SL: Boxer briefs? IK, I just like them. I prefer none at all.

Q) Silk or satin sheets? What color? Why?

SL: Black satin sheets are sexy!

Q) What have you had to sacrifice to become a writer?

SL: The rest of my sanity. *laughs* Oh like I had some. *giggles* Erm, I’d say time with my friends. They don’t get that I don’t like to go out as much anymore.

Q) When the day arrives you have to stop writing, what's the one thing you hope your readers will remember?

SL: I hope that never happens. I wanna write till I die! But if it did, I want the readers to remember how I write with an open mind and try to engage and inspire my readers.

Thanks David, here is my gay male muses new book, Under the Gun!

Camdyn Hardy is a former cop who has his own private investigator business. Due to a misunderstanding from a client, he gets into an argument with his lover Tay. Right after, they breakup Camdyn is left alone to think about his future as a PI and his love life.

Malik Day was recently discharged under the DADT policy and is looking to get his life on track The main reason he joined was because he dreamed of being a ranking officer. Now that it’s been taken away, he desires to start his life anew and find someone to share it with.

After two weeks the men meet at a shooting range and find out they have a lot in common. Once they engage in a one on one match, they proceed to a bar to have drinks and get to know one another better. They both discover their affinity for guns as well as Camdyn’s need for a new partner at Camdyn & Associates. Malik is intrigued but afraid to ask him and decides to wait till they are closer. Camdyn is excited about this prospect as well but waits for Malik to say the word. Finally, in an erotic encounter, true feelings are revealed.

In subsequent books, the story continues where the twosome begin their work and love relationship. Together they’ll take on cases investigating cheating husbands or wives, companies with defector employees all the while trying to maintain their newfound commitment to one another as well as having a little fun in the process.

When he made it to the office, he signed the necessary papers and waited as the man finished his transaction. Lazily, he leaned on the counter and nonchalantly glanced at a hot looking man that stood less than twenty feet away. Malik grinned and moistened his lips in the gorgeous stranger’s direction.

Damn.

The attractive guy gave him more than an eye and winked. Obviously, he plays on my team. His lush brown-and-blond hair barely kissed his shoulders. Beautiful azure eyes the same color as the Pacific. Lips so slim and kissable, Malik knew he could enjoy them for hours. Wicked visions crossed his mind as he eyed the scruff on the man’s cheeks. He liked a little roughness when making love.

The snug, black shirt fit well, hugging his bulging muscles. Malik eyed the ink that peeked from under one sleeve and salivated. His skinny, black jeans clung to his taut buttocks; Malik’s own trousers felt a little tight in the crotch. “Mhmmm.” Malik tried to keep his stares from being obvious to the clerk.

Would the hot man like to play with him a little? Malik sure hoped so.

It had been a long while since his last fuck. He’d spent the time searching for employment, going to job fairs, and not getting any call backs. Malik had remained so focused on getting a job; he’d ignored the signals of his groin needing a release from other than his own hand. Too long. He headed for the door and wished the handsome man would follow.

Maybe it’s time to stop looking for work and attempt to find a man.

Just when he stepped out, a voice stopped him.

“Hey.”

Malik slowly turned around. It was indeed him, the hottie he’d been eyeing. It shocked Malik to see the guy was actually speaking to him. “Hello.” Malik was taken aback by the guy speaking to him, but he guessed he warranted a greeting when they exchanged more than a passing glance.

The man stepped closer to him and held out his hand. “Name’s Camdyn. And you are?”

“Malik.” He accepted the handshake and returned it firmly. “Nice to meet you.” He raised an eyebrow.

“Same here.” Malik noticed Camdyn continued to hold on to his palm. Of course he didn’t mind; it felt unexpectedly soft and warm. “Um, you been comin’ here a while?”

“Yeah, I um…” Malik stopped short and bit his lip. He tried not to sound too excited. This was the last place he’d expected to be picked up at. The shooting range? Malik would’ve never thought of this place to meet other gay men.

“I been around, but I just got back in town.”

“Yeah? I’m guessin’ from the getup you served in the Army.”

“Uh huh… I um… yeah, let’s go outside.” Quickly, he pulled his hands away, even though he didn’t want to. Surely, he wanted to talk with Camdyn some more, but away from others coming in and out of the shop. He felt a little uncomfortable being picked up at some place so manly, but in a way, he liked it.