Today, I welcome Laura Baumbach to Five on Friday. Read all about her and her latest book, then follow her on social media! Let’s get right to the questions.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Eclectic.
I mix styles, décor, genres, story themes, basically everything. My children are adopted, I love and adore them, but thought of by many as other people’s castoffs. My husband is unique and brilliant, a loner but a highly valued consultant. I like mixing genres, such as my Details of the Hunt Series where historical (18th century pirate) meets and mates with sci-fi (alien bounty hunter). Contemporary treats paranormal, historical clashes with paranormal, etc. My home is a smash up of styles, whatever strikes my fancy, Asian art with Old English cottage with Industrial accents. Weird, but it works for me. Eclectic.
Ann: Gee, this description makes me want to see pictures of your house! Sounds fantastic.
What are the top three things on your bucket list? And why?
I managed to do several things on my bucket list when I turned forty. Got my motorcycle license, learned to scuba dive, and took up downhill skiing. All that was left was skydiving and learning to play the piano. I’m too physically old, arthritis in my hips and knees from 40 plus years as a nurse, so skydiving is out. I would like to learn the piano yet. I can do that sitting down! LOL.
Ann: You sound like quite the adventurer. I don’t have an adventurous bone in my body!
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’m not sure it exists. I would love to be on or by the water. The ocean would be my first pick. I love it when it’s calm and beautiful, perfect for sailing. I also love it when it is stormy and rough, all power and raw attitude. It reminds me that nature is a force that can please or destroy, it makes me feel very much alive no matter the characteristics of that day. The sound of water is soothing to me.
Ann: Never lived on the ocean, but I’ve lived on a small lake. It is soothing, but the dirt/mud dabbers just about take over! They build their little houses everywhere!!
Are the names of characters in your novels important?
They are. I look for names that fit their personalities. I like my heroes to have names that reflect that part of them, while my antagonists need names that hint at the less attractive qualities in their souls. It doesn’t mean their names are Snidely Whiplash or Jeffery Dahmer. Even perfectly gorgeous bad guys can have a too perfect name, a name so wonderful you know it’s hiding something evil.
Ann: I totally agree.
Do you have any tattoos? If so, care to say what and where?
Nothing permanent. I’ve looked at tattoos, but never found anything I could live with into my old age. I’ve seen beautiful and exotic tattoos that I loved but I have never been able to make the leap. I did have my eyeliner and lips done with temporary tattooing when I was in my 40’s. It lasted 10 years or so and I enjoyed it, but just can’t make that final step.
Ann: I’m also tattoo free, but secretly, I’d love to have one. Maybe for my 100th birthday!!
Betrayal, passion, adventure, primal sex, and a fight to the death. Mating a 26th century Oracan Bounty Hunter with an 18th century pirate has it’s little glitches.
Bounty hunter Talos bows to pressure to bring his mate home for the completion of his strict warrior culture’s bonding ritual. Aidan, displaced 18th century Earth pirate – light-fingered, sly, charming and understandably naive about the new world he’s been thrust into – can’t wait. Even if it turns out someone wants him dead.
The 26th century looks different, but it turns out to be a lot like his old life!
Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Genetic-Snare-Details-Book-2-ebook/dp/B077RVW2N5/
http://www.mlrbooks.com/Bookstore.php?bookid=LBGNTCSN
Excerpt:
The candles had stuttered out leaving the room draped in pale gray shadow. It was a comfortable darkness, one Talos found restful, a spectrum of low light in which his keen eyesight functioned well. Being able to see in the dark, and underwater, was a definite advantage for stalking prey. Talos was monetarily sated and fully rested after a few hours of sleep. The genetic mandate to claim his new mate at an increasingly awkward rate hadn’t affected his hunter’s sense of alertness and physical stamina. His body was created for the claiming ritual of his race, unlike his unprepared human lover.
A soft, insistent chime drew him to the side console in the main living area. Ignoring his unclothed state, Talos acknowledged the signal and opened the outside communication channel. The regal image of his elder brother Zeban appeared, but the robes of High Principle he usually wore were absent. A personal call. Talos instantly became cautious.
Fist over his left abdomen, Talos moved his hand up and over his heart in the traditional greeting of their people. “Honor and compassion, Zeban.”
Zeban returned the greeting. Talos caught the glint of amusement in his brother’s expression as the elder Oracan glanced at Talos’s full naked image. “Am I interrupting something, my brother?”
“Nothing of interest to a High Principle.”
“Ah, but I’m not speaking as a Council member right now, little brother. I’m asking as a concerned family member.”
“Concerned about what?”
“Aidan’s health. How is your little human?”
“He’s getting used to the space station. Let him catch up on seven hundred years of his own culture before he tackles a new world, Zeban.”
“He seemed highly adaptable to me. It’s not everyone who can take on an entire troop of thugs, save the fair Dr. Rice from death, defeat a fellow like Barlow in hand to hand combat and still manage to blow up an island in the process of winning the battle.”
“It was only half an island and that was an accident. And he got the drop on Barlow in a sword fight. What idiot in his right mind challenges a pirate who grew up with a blade in his hand to a sword fight and expects to win?”
“It is fortunate we erased those events in his future, is it not?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“You don’t sound…sure.”
“I’m sure.” He sounded sure, but the tiny squint at the corner of his brother’s one eye didn’t fit. Zeban had always been able to read his mood since they were children. His older brother had the people skills, while he was given the physical talents. “Only Oracans can time sense, you know that.” Talos straightened his spine, donning the mantle of strength and confidence a hunter was renowned for possessing.
“He’s safe and well. And if he isn’t, I’ll take care of him.”
“Do you think he may not be safe? Have there been new enemies stalking him?”
“Not since Barlow. Why?”
“There have been a series of…incidences here.”
“What kind of incidences? Involving who?”
“Menalon. An accident in the marketplace. One that, at closer inspection, seems less accidental than was first thought.”
Old pain and resentment boiled up, but Talos wouldn’t deny his deep-seated family bond. “Was our father injured?”
“No.” Zeban was quick to answer, but Talos felt he was holding back. “The event did put a strain on him. He is approaching his edge year.”
The rites of passage to the land beyond was a complex celebration of honor Talos had little time for. “What else happened?”
“Yesterday there was a fire.”
“Where?”
“My personal lodgings. No one was hurt beyond Penna suffering a few minor burns trying to douse the flames. But this morning, an automated short distance freighter exploded as it jumped the time division. A freighter that had just completed a total inspection.”
“Let me guess. The freighter was one belonging to the cashe.”
“Yes, it was Menalon’s newest.”
“What’s the wire on the attacks?”
“Information? Very little. Whoever it is, they’re covering their tracks well, I’m afraid. I was hoping you would agree to return to Oracan and help. You are Oracan’s most celebrated Hunter. Surely, you can set aside old wounds for this? There are others besides Menalon endangered by the attacks.”
Honor and compassion were more than just words of greeting to Talos. He lived them every minute of his existence, had built his life upholding the essence of the code and honoring the details of the hunt. He could distance himself from his father and the family politics by living with humans on Pathos Six, but he couldn’t turn his back on his brother.
Named by ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE as ‘a pioneer of the M/M romance genre’, Laura Baumbach is the best-selling, multi-award winning author of short stories, novellas, novels and screenplays. Author of one of the first recognized published resource articles on the category of m/m erotic romance, For the Love Of Man, for ERWA Writer’ Resource article published in September 2008. She is the founder of the only RWA Chapter for GLBT romance author, RAINBOW ROMANCE WRITERS.
A registered nurse, Laura devotes herself to publishing, writing and nursing. She is the owner of ManLove Romance Press, a small publishing house that specializes in m/m erotic romance, mystery and fiction. http://www.mlrpress.com
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And as always, please remember….
