Guest Post and Giveaway: Temper (A “Ripples in the Status Quo” Story) by R. Phoenix

Temper

Please join us in welcoming author R. Phoenix today, on the tour for the latest release in the Ripples in the Status Quo series, Temper. Enjoy her guest post, and then be sure to check out the Rafflecopter Giveaway below where you can enter for the chance to win a $25 gift card + a copy of Collision [Books 2-4].

Good luck!

If you had the ability to compel others to do whatever you wanted, would you sacrifice the ability to walk during the day? If you could shift into a wolf at will, would you endure the agony of the change? If you could accomplish nearly anything with magic, would you obey the first of the families for the ability to continue using it?

If you were a supernatural being, would you be content–or willing–to hide in the shadows?

In paranormal stories, there are a few tried and true settings: supernaturals attempting to hide their existence, supernaturals attempting to defend themselves from humans, and supernaturals attempting to get along with humans.

And then there are those of us who see the world in a different light: as a place where supernaturals seek supremacy above all else. They are not content to hide in the shadows like cockroaches, scurrying from the light. They can easily handle humans who seek to attack them, given any warning whatsoever. They have no interest in bloody struggles for equality, where they must prove themselves worthy of the world they’ve manipulated for so long.

In the Ripples in the Status Quo world, that’s exactly what’s happened. In one fell swoop, they used their cunning and their determination, their supernatural skills and their mundane influences; they swept over the world and overwhelmed the humans, forcing them to their knees…and keeping them there. Because once they stole power, it didn’t matter how many times they claimed it was only to keep themselves safe.

The truth came out: they had no intention of letting humans be anything more than beasts of burden, of pets and slaves, of entertainment and breeding stock. And those who dared speak against it were named sympathizers–traitors–and subjected to enslavement or death themselves.

The RISQ world is one in which supernatural beings are drunk on power, and as they glut themselves on it, they miss the hints that the status quo that’s ruled the world for the past decade doesn’t have as much of a stranglehold as it once did. People don’t dare speak out publicly, but that doesn’t mean they’re content to let the world remain as it is.

It’s a dark place, one wrought of shadows and pain, of violence and lust. And yet, within the world, there are lights that dimly shine, actions that cause ripples in the status quo. These are not love stories; these are chapters in a story where love can change everything. Even the chance to find love can bring out the best in the people and the worst, and it often does. These are flawed characters struggling to live in a world turned upside down, and it all comes back to the same central concept: anyone can make a difference, with the proper motivation.

I’ve always been fascinated by the dichotomy of good versus evil, dark versus light, love versus hate; the RISQ world lets me explore all of it. Through the lens of dark romance and erotica, I get to tell the story of the ‘worst case scenario’ of what might happen if supernatural beings existed. When I write, it’s usually because I’ve had some sort of a fragment of an idea: a scene, a phrase, a word, a character…something.

In this particular case, several years ago, I had this idea for a young woman who wakes up in the middle of the night to the sight of a cross burning on her front lawn. She’s the daughter of a prominent politician who’s also a witch, and he’s one of the most vocal of those advocating equality. She gathers her magic to put out the fire–

And then it hit me. Why? Why on earth would they struggle for equality when they could gain supremacy? Ever since then, it stayed in my head. Why would supernatural beings give in? Humans may have strength in numbers, but supes have so many advantages. They have age, cunning, compulsions, special abilities, strength, speed, toughness, magic…those things, on top of wealth, power, prominence, and other forms of mundane influence.

They wouldn’t be stupid enough to go in a full-out attack if they could do so with subtlety, if they could sneak in from the back and work their way up. A simple Takeover, for instance, where the government is there and gone, and suddenly humans are nothing and supes are everything…

And that’s the RISQ world in about a dozen nutshells…or nut sacs…very, very large ones…!

About the Book

Temper525x788 Title: Temper (A Ripples in the Status Quo Story: Book Five)
Author: R. Phoenix
Cover Artist: Brandyjo Newton
Length: Novel. ~40k words without front/back matter. (41,929 words with front/back matter.)
Price: $3.99. Temper is also available on Kindle Unlimited.
Blurb: Only love can set off the ripples that could change this depraved world for the better.

Only one thing can keep Ashton safe from the supernatural predators who made the world into their depraved, twisted playground after the Takeover—but it’s the one thing that would steal the last remnants of his freedom. At every turn, society confronts Reese and Ashton with the way humans are treated as mere playthings to be used and discarded. When they realize their own desires and pride have no place in the status quo, Ashton and his werewolf lover understand they’ll have to engage in the deadly games played by those in charge if they want to make a difference.

But Reese isn’t a diplomat, and Ash is only human. Together, they must decide if they’re willing to work with the devil they know in what might change everything or rely on their consciences in a world that has no place for kindness or honor… and if they’re ready to sacrifice everything along the way.

§§§§§§

(This dark erotica work caters to those who cheer on the villains as they pursue their goals…no matter what it takes to get there. This includes Very Bad Things as well as Very Sexy Things.

Those with sensibilities will likely be offended and want to attack the author with flaming pitchforks. If this applies to you, save an author. Step away from the button.

Lightheartedness aside, this is dark erotica, and it does contain elements of depravity and cruelty that will be offensive to some readers. Please proceed with caution or skip this read.)

Buy Link: Amazon

About the Author

R. Phoenix has an unhealthy fascination with contrasts: light and dark, heroes and villains, order and chaos. She believes that love can corrupt and power can redeem. Her muse is a sadomasochistic slave driver who thinks it’s terribly amusing to give her the best ideas when she just got comfortable and warm in bed, and she passes on that torture to her readers.

If she had it her way, she would describe the books in her “Ripples in the Status Quo” world as: “Supernatural creatures take over the world and turn humans into pets and food. There’s some sex between guys. And… um… effed up things happen.” It’s probably a good thing she has people around her to remind her that she actually wants people to read her books. (They should really be more diligent, especially when they know she’s writing her author bio.)

She’s an author, stay-at-home mother, housewife, second time college student, and duck herder extraordinaire. She’s learning how to cook without burning the house down, her garden is somehow neither drowning nor drying up, and one day she might remember what that mythical thing called “free time” is. She’s starting to wonder who thought it was a good idea to write bios in third person.

She also tries entirely too hard to be funny, and she mercilessly inflicts her terrible sense of humor upon anyone who speaks to her. Really, it’s not you. It’s her. All the same, she’d love it if you’d say hello, because it makes her day to hear that someone read something she wrote. If they enjoyed it, there’s usually an awkward happy dance and embarrassing sounds of joy to accompany it (no, not that kind of sound, you perv). If all of that hasn’t scared you away, please visit her website at http://rphoenix.theupsideis.com/.