Interview and Giveaway: The Dream God Blog Tour with J. Johanis

We’re so pleased to welcome author J. Johanis to The Novel Approach today on the tour for her new novel Dream God. Enjoy the short interview and then be sure to click on the Rafflecopter widget below for the chance to win a $20 E-gift card and an e-copy of the book.

Good luck!

Q: Tell us about your book.

A: Dream God is essentially the aftermath of what goes down in Claimed by the Order. Aya is finally free from the Order, but they have to endure a trial with powerful gods pulling the strings. To give you an idea, the trial is a lot like a modern day rape trial. However, if they don’t win in court, Aya will be forced to return to Egypt where Seth will be waiting for him. To complicate things, Marduk and Akad are together, yet Aya is convinced that Marduk is his soul mate.

Q: How difficult was it to get into the main character’s head?

A: I generally don’t find any difficulties getting into a character’s head. However, if I switch from writing one book to writing another, sometimes I have to make a conscious effort to put the other book out of my head in order to get into the right mind set.

Q: Is this book a standalone or do you plan on visiting it again?

A: Dream God is not a standalone. I did some re-capping of book one, but anyone who reads it without reading Claimed by the Order is going to miss out on too much. So, I advise reading book one first.

Q: Why did you choose to write M/M stories?

A: I write M/M because it’s what comes naturally to me. I started writing M/M before I ever picked up an M/M book. I actually was quite surprised when I discovered how big the genre was and that most of the authors were female as well.

Q: Where do you find your inspiration?

A: I am mostly inspired by history and mythology, but there are also current events and popular TV shows that spark my imagination. With respect to characters, sometimes I see an image or meet someone who inspires the creation of a character. However, I develop most characters because they fit a character type that I need in the plot.

Blurb: For the first time in three years, Aya is finally free, but with his freedom comes the pain of all he’s lost. Seeing Akad and Marduk together makes him realize how badly he has messed up. By betraying Marduk, he ruined his chance with the one god he desires more than anything.

Aya needs time to heal and put his world back together, but the trial against the Order looms over him. As the trial begins, Akad, Marduk, and Aya are ensnared in a web of jealousy, backstabbing, and cut-throat politics. Were they crazy to think they could stand up to the Order? If the gods of the Order can still rip their lives apart, their chances of receiving justice may be next to impossible. But if they fail to bring the Order down, Aya may never be free from their grasp.

Buy Link: Amazon

Excerpt: “My lord Aya,” Elian said, “I’ve prepared your bath early as you requested.”

Aya groaned into his pillow. He looked up just as his servant set a wooden bucket down near the foot of his bed. Steam rose off the water.

“Thank you, Elian.” Aya needed something to curb his frustration. After slipping his skirt down, he stepped out of it, and dipped his feet into the bucket. He closed his eyes, allowing Elian to wash him. Elian ran a warm cloth over his face, then his neck and his bare chest. His touch was sensual like that of a lover, and Aya let his mind wander to the times Marduk had touched him. Elian glided the cloth down his belly, and a shiver ran up Aya’s spine. Elian’s cloth finally brushed along his member, stroking and coaxing. Blood rushed to Aya’s head as Elian’s touch aroused all his senses. When Elian’s strong fingers slid between his buttocks, Aya’s body tensed, his heartbeat quickening. Elian had always tried so hard to seduce him as a boy, but Aya had never given in. Aya had dreamed of saving himself for his soul mate—a dream that had been shattered by Seth and the Order. It seemed ridiculous to continue denying himself a man’s touch, especially that of his gorgeous concubine.

“Please,” Aya said, unsure of what he was asking. Just the thought of Elian fucking him made the heat in him rise. He closed his eyes, imagining Marduk touching him and taking control of him. Thinking of Marduk while Elian stroked him didn’t seem right, but he longed to give his body over; he wanted to feel something. Aya had been like a monk since he’d escaped the Order.

“My Lord. Will you allow me to please you?”

Unable to speak the words, Aya nodded his assent. Elian immediately pushed him back on the bed and crawled on top of him. Though Elian was mortal, his forceful manner was enough to get Aya’s blood flowing.

“Tell me what you want,” Elian said, breathless.

Aya still couldn’t speak, but he knew what he needed. “Please… just fuck me.”

A smile spread to Elian’s lips as he pushed Aya’s legs up and pressed his hard cock against Aya’s exposed hole. Elian ran his hands up Aya’s torso and pinched his nipples hard as his dick slid in. Aya gasped while Elian opened him, driving his shaft deep into his passage until his balls were flush with Aya’s ass.

“Ah,” Aya groaned, clenching handfuls of bedding, anticipating what was to come next. It soon became apparent that Elian knew how to fuck. When the first thrust came, Aya’s entire body glowed with the intense sensation. He needed this. He needed to be fucked so hard that the breath was forced from his lungs, but while his servant’s cock battered him, his mind wandered. He was once again in the Oasis pool and Marduk was inside him, riding him slowly, making him feel something he’d never felt with another.

Elian’s cock slammed into Aya once more, jarring him from his daydream. Though Marduk had been angry with Aya, he hadn’t punished him with his cock; instead he’d made love to him, slow and sweet.

“Stop!” Aya ordered, and Elian paused midstroke. Aya couldn’t stop thinking about Marduk. He’d imagined that letting Elian fuck him would change things—that maybe he’d find some satisfaction, but Elian was so forceful. All Aya could think of was Marduk’s gentle touch, and how Marduk had made love to him. When Elian pulled out, Aya rolled onto his side. His chest tightened once more. He wanted to cry and pull out his hair. He needed Marduk. No one else would ever compare. No one would ever make him feel like Marduk had.

About the author: J. Johanis writes dark m/m erotic fantasy, and enjoys plots that are historical or myth-based.

Where to find the author: Facebook || Facebook Author Page || Twitter  || Pinterest || Website || Google || Blog || Newsletter signup

THE GIVEAWAY

Tour Dates & Stops:

16-Nov: The Novel Approach,  Bayou Book Junkie, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

17-Nov: Rainbow Gold Reviews,  Book Reviews, Rants, and Raves, My Fiction Nook

18-Nov: The Jena Wade, Divine Magazine

19-Nov: Amanda C. Stone, Prism Book Alliance

20-Nov: Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews, Emotion in Motion

23-Nov: Books A to Z, Love Bytes

24-Nov: Full Moon Dreaming, BFD Book Blog

25-Nov: Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My, TTC Books and More

26-Nov: Up All Night, Read All Day

27-Nov: Inked Rainbow Reads

The Fine Print:

*Entrants must be 18 years or older to qualify
*Some residency restrictions may apply
*All comments must be relevant to the author’s prompt to be eligible (when applicable)
*The Novel Approach will not be held liable for prize delivery unless otherwise specified
*Void where prohibited by law