Desdemona Richards has always struggled to find love. That’s probably because of the curse of the Gorgon. From birth, she’s always been watched over by three guardian deities that present themselves as snakes. Throughout the years, they judge all who cross her path. Anyone deemed unworthy is conveniently taken out of her life. Enter Rodney Sabon and Toby Macenroy. One guy Desdemona can’t stand, and the other she likes more than she probably should. One of them is her soul mate. Unfortunately, the guardians can’t agree on which. As their power begins to run dry, so does their life force. If they can’t choose one a guy soon and lift the curse, then not only will they die, but Desdemona will never be doomed to a life of solitude as every man she touches will be turned into stone.
Cloud S. Riser
Give us the one to two sentence tagline for your book.
Two guys, one soulmate, and the gods can’t seem to agree.
How do you use magic in your book?
Desdemona has magical guardians that protect her from giving herself to the wrong guy. They use their magic to cause all kinds of crazy mishaps for all the unworthy suitors. Including turning them into stone.
Would your hero enjoy pumpkin spice lattes, candy corn, or apple bobbing?
He’s definitely a pumpkin spice latte guy, but he’d never admit it.
What costume would your heroine (or hero if MM) wear to a halloween party?
She’d be the girl who put on cute animal ears and a sexy dress, trying to pass that off as a costume.
What scene did you adore writing in this book?
The first time Desi realizes she’s capable of feeling real emotions, and she’s not as heartless as she believes herself to be.
Is this book a spooky/scary PNR, or a cozy/snuggling with a monster PNR?
Definitely cozy.
What is your favorite monster to write?
Overall, I’m a big fan of writing about shifters or demons who are desperate to become good (and usually failing at it).
If you had to pick, would you rather have fangs, claws, or wings?
Claws!
Halloween’s coming. Do you do anything special to celebrate?
The past couple of years I’ve celebrated by participating in an in costume martial arts tournament.
Excerpt from Queen of Stone
“Thanks for inviting me up.” The guy’s name was Bruno, or Brutus, or something along those lines. It started with a B, and it wasn’t something common like Brian or Bryce or Billy. It had an old school sort of feeling to it. Chances were, Desdemona didn’t know his name all too well either. She’d only said it one time at the bar where she’d met him. Like usual, she didn’t care if she knew him. What she cared about was getting her fix.
The next thing I know, they’re kissing. His hands are all over her. Her hands are all over him. I’m positive her mouth opened an unnatural amount as she tried to swallow his tongue. Not literally, of course. The point is, she wanted to consume him, or as much of him, as she could. To feel. Something. Anything. The only problem? Desi didn’t have feelings.
Ugliness comes in many forms. Physical, emotional, mental. It comes in all shapes and sizes too. Those who are ugly are often vulnerable and easily hurt by the beautiful. Whether it be from intentional bullying, or pure jealousy, the beautiful people of the world are good at inflicting pain on those not like them.
Beautiful people suck. We hate them, we love them, we hate that we love them, and we hate that we want to be them.
By “we”, I mean, Desdemona.
Cloud S. Riser is a Minnesota native. She has lived in Minnesota her whole life. She will probably remain there for her whole life too. The mother of The Squid, Skyscraper, and two cats, her life is definitely never dull. An adventure she braves with her husband. In order to stay sane, she creates massive amounts of fiction which she has decided to share with the rest of the world for the simple reason of: she is a storyteller.
Ellen Mint 