Showing posts with label alien romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alien romance. Show all posts

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Revisiting Characters

Satin Sheets in Space available HERE

By Jessica E. Subject
One of the hardest parts of being an author is saying goodbye to our characters once we finish their stories. It’s like saying goodbye to a good friend. Sure, we get to visit them again during edits and promotion of our new release, but it’s not the same. We can write series, and bring the characters back book after book, though a series can only go on for so long before their stories become too repetitive.

So, how does an author revisit those characters? For me, I include them as minor characters in a new story. With most of my 1Night Stand stories, I have done this, including in the one I’m writing now.

With Josh and Tamara from Beneath the Starry Sky, I included them in Celestial Seduction and Satin Sheets in Space. Carrie and Frey from Celestial Seduction make an appearance in Unknown Futures and are also mentioned in Satin Sheets in Space. In my latest 1Night Stand release, Another Night, Another Planet, Ava and Nate got to the planet Elatia for their date, and meet Kalara and Jacobus from An Unexpected Return.

I enjoy visiting with the characters again. I know they will
not get another complete story, but me and my readers get to see what they’ve been up to since we last read their story.

In the 1Night Stand story I’m working on now, His Alien Virgin, readers will meet the sister of Galan and Volan from Satin Sheets in Space. Didn’t know they had a sister? Well, that is explained in the story :)

If you haven’t met the sexy aliens from Satin Sheets in Space, Galan and Volan yet, here’s an excerpt from when Danyka meets Galan for the first time:

   That’s it, I’m leaving. She didn’t need to stick around and be reminded of another night she’d been stood up by a blind date and passed over by every other available male. 
   After slipping her shoes on and grabbing her clutch, she headed for the door
   “Leaving so soon?” 
   She shivered at the sound of the deep, sexy voice. Spinning around, she gazed up at an enormous, captivating man. Very rarely did she meet a guy so much taller than herself. His black velvet justacorps fit tight across his broad shoulders, but not too snug. And the silk shirt lining his wide chest matched the color of her dress. Almost as if they were made for each other. I can only hope. 
   Flowing down his back, his long, thick, dark mane appeared to have feathers throughout. In the dim lighting, his hair, and even his skin had a faint blue glow. She couldn’t help but be enthralled by his presence; was sure she stood in front of him with her mouth hanging open.
   “I…I’m going home.” 
   “When the night is still so young?” He brushed his hand down her bare arm. “What could be more fun at home? Perhaps you might even enjoy some company?” 
   How she’d love to spend the night in this man’s company, the toys in her nightstand long forgotten. But this had to be some kind of joke. She looked around for cameras, anxious faces. No one as hot as this man could want to spend a night with her. “It’s been a long day. I was stood up by my date, and my friends no longer need me to stick around.”
   Great! She’d just told the guy she was alone. Might as well have put a target on my back.
   He rested his hand on her hip, sending intense sexual energy zinging straight to her core. “You mean you wouldn’t want to enjoy an evening in my company? Because I’m your date.”

Satin Sheets in Space
A 1Night Stand story
By Jessica E. Subject
Erotic Sci-Fi MFM Ménage Romance
ISBN: 978-1613332962
Danyka's unusual height and radiant red hair earn her the cold shoulder from any guy she approaches, unless he wants to experiment with a giant. So when her boss sets up on a one night stand, she hopes for a prince but expects the usual toad.

As a captivating stranger whisks her away from the ball and introduces her to his equally gorgeous brother, she fears her fantasies have become a nightmare. Has she finally given into impulse only to become a lab rat in an unknown world? 

Available From:

Bio:
  Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous. 
  When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.
  Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

A Very Bunny Interview with Nate

by Bunny

Good morning, Nate. 

Why, good morning! Bunny, isn’t it? The name suits you.

Yes, it’s Bunny. So, I don’t get many aliens in my hot seat. Can you tell me a little about the world your from and a whole lot about yourself?

I don’t exactly think of myself as an alien. Though to everyone on Earth, I guess I am. I belong to a mostly extinct race from the planet Claustrum. We have explosive powers, though mine are diluted since I only share 25% or less of the Claustrian DNA. My parents didn’t exactly leave me a note when they abandoned me. Now, the planet is a prison, and I have no home. When I’m not stopping by the planets I am allowed on for a little R and R, I’m transporting the cargo through space that no one else wants on board.

Why a 1Night Stand? You would think somewhere out there in the universe you’d have found a woman. Is it that impossible to find a female in space or do they have two heads or something? Seriously. Because if you’re looking, I just might know this hot demon chick that would love to take a bite out of you.

Oh, it’s very easy to find a woman in space. But after a while, two heads, and three boobs gets boring. I didn’t want fun, I wanted something more. I wanted to know that there was someone always there for me, something I had for only a very short time in my life. But that love was stolen away from me.

Madame Eve is very exclusive. She screens all her clients very carefully. So, tell me, is there anything you might be hiding? Any reason why an eligible young...what are you exactly...would scare women away? You’re not a stalker are you? Oh, please tell me you are.

Stalker? Um, no. You know, I’m banned from several planets, right?
Buy Another Night, Another Planet HERE

Banned. Even better. You know, I have a thing for stalkers *winks* Plus I’m into the whole role-playing bit if you’d like to mix it up a bit. I’m quite schooled in Japanese knot tying, ball gags, rubber sheets and baby oil...wait, you’re the one that likes to be the stalker. We can certainly take turns if you want.

*raises eyebrow* Um, Bunny?

Well, you sounded like a bad boy. Did I misread this crazy energy coming off you? I can’t help it if you send mixed signals. Fine. You don’t know what you’re missing. Maybe I should go back to that military base I vacationed at last month. At least they were fine with playing hide and seek in the woods, and for your information, they loved my rope skills. 

I’m sure they did.

Back to the interview. I’ve heard about some alien ceremonies. Do you mind putting this cone-shaped hat on while I throw wreaths at it? Nate?

*crickets chirping.*

Not your planet? I could swear...where are my notes. *digs through purse* How about we just give it a little try? If you don’t want to wear the hat, I’m sure I can come up with something else to toss my rings on. 

Really? This is your idea of an interview?
                                                     
Yes. What’s your idea of a date, I mean interview?

*Stares*

Fine. Since you don’t want to cooperate with the alien games, I’ll just ask you a few more questions about your date. Tell me, what’s it like to get in on in zero grav? I’ve always wanted to try the whole space thing. Do you have to break out the Velcro suits?

My bunk is very small. There’s not much room to float around. Though plenty of room to have some fun, if you know what I mean.

There’s a questionnaire that is very specific, that you have to fill out before Madame Eve screens you. Could you tell the audience a few of the “musts” your ideal woman should possess? *Pulls out notebook* Please ignore the note taking. This is strictly for research purposes. Let’s start with your address and phone number, or the best way you can be reached.

That questionnaire was crazy! But I managed to get through it. A must for me was someone able to stand heat, and not afraid of a little fire. And I wanted a woman who enjoyed the cuddle time after, just as much as the sex. In all reality, the woman I described was exactly like my first love.

You just described all my attributes, except the cuddling part. But I’m great with fire. I’ll just get that personal data from you after the interview. So...Anna was selected for your date. Tell me a bit about her.

Ava.

Anna—Ava. If you ask me they sound the same.  So, tell me a bit about April? Was she everything you thought she would be?

Ava, and yes.

That’s too bad.

She is everything I was looking for. Exactly who I wanted for my date. Though, I never expected to see her again. Bunny, are you listening?

*Glances down at nails.* WHAT IS THAT!? Is my polish chipped? I swear they are getting cheaper and cheaper at the salon with the polish these days. *Looks up* Of course I’m listening. Go on about Allie....
*Leans forward* Are you getting a little warm? Your face looks rather flushed. You know what could help that? A nice cool shower. I have this garden hose from a previous interview. I’d be happy to hose you off, but you might want to take off that shirt first...and maybe the pants. Why don’t you just strip.

I don’t think so.

No?

No.

You know, you’re killing me. I had all these props ready to go when I heard we were having an alien today. Let’s just skip to the quickies. You ready?

Always.

Blondes or brunettes. 
Brunettes.

Tall or short? 
Somewhere in between.

T or A?
Both work for me.

Human or demon? I know you like demon. Admit it. 
Human. Sorry, Bunny.

You really don’t know what you’re missing. 
I’ve got Ava. I’m not missing anything.

Well, I’m getting the signal that it’s time to wrap this interview up. But before you go, Nate, could you tell me where you might have parked your ship? 
Later, Bunny. Thanks for the, um… interesting interview.

Hey come back here. I still haven’t...whatever. Just wait for me back stage. K? 
If you’d like to know more about Anna and Nate’s, I mean Ava and Nate’s date, you can purchase the tell-all exclusive, Another Night Another Planet here, since Nate isn’t cooperating.
See you next month when I interview...where are my notes? Hey! Has anyone seen my notes!?
Gah! I need a personal assistant. Forget it. I’ve got bigger aliens to catch. Anyone see where that cute guy from another world went? He was going to give me a tour of his ship. Nate? Hey Nate! Where’d you go? You know Bunny likes playing this little hard to get game, but come on, I’ve got my heels on and I don’t run that fast in them.
Nate? Pumpkin? Baby?
I better go. His trail is going to get cold.

Ciao.


Limited by status…

Ava is a housekeeper aboard Star Spirit, a luxury cruise ship travelling between the Milky Way and the Belvarian System. Coming from a middle-class family on Earth, she is considered by passengers as nothing more than an object to be tossed away when they’re done with her.

Shunned because of his lineage…

Banned from several planets across the universe, Nate struggles to run his interstellar shipping business. But the DNA of an exterminated race runs through his blood, giving him a diluted form of their powers, and leaving him labeled as a terrorist.

Both searching for the one…

Through her 1Night Stand dating service, Madame Evangeline matches these two together for a celestial escape on the pleasure planet, Elatia.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Free Book Bundle!

Get your Book Bundle HERE!

By Jessica E. Subject
Hello! Today is the second day of the FREE promotion for my 1Night Stand bundle. That’s right, FREE! You can get the stories Beneath the Starry Sky, Celestial Seduction, Unknown Futures, Satin Sheets in Space, and Sudden Breakaway in an ebook Bundle, and pay nothing (for a limited time).

Now, I must warn you: my romances are not your average love story. Each and every character involved in my stories face challenges that many will never have to deal with. In Celestial Seduction, Carrie is unable to conceive a child. Tamara, the heroine in Beneath the Starry Sky, has the autoimmune disease, Alopecia Areata. Jewel lives with acid burns on her face in Unknown Futures. And the other two stories are no different. Therefore, it is even harder for these characters to find their happily-ever-afters. And that much more satisfying when they do get there.

Oh, and I like to write about aliens, VERY sexy aliens.

When can you get them FREE? March 15-19, 2013 only. If you miss this dates, you won't be able to get this great deal.

Where can you get these stories for FREE? Exclusively at Amazon. Here are the links:

Still not sure if these stories are something you'd be interested in reading? Well, here’s an excerpt from Sudden Breakaway:

Jared shucked his towel and stroked his rigid cock. That woman made him hard every time she came to the door, trying to persuade him to sign up for the Space Service. Her claims had seemed far-fetched when she’d first approached him, yet his commander had confirmed her credentials, having been approached to join by another many years ago. While Jared would never add his thumbprint to the contract he’d read, he wouldn’t mind if she stopped by to try and convince him again.
Ms. Brown, with her black blazer revealing a hint of cleavage and a skirt that showed the perfect curvature of her ass. When he’d answered the door fresh out of the shower and seen her on his porch, he’d gripped the door handle to hold himself back from yanking her inside and tearing off her fine-pressed suit.
He squeezed his balls; no time to jack-off. Dylan and Madison would arrive in an hour, and he had to take one last run through his house to get rid of any lingering dust bunnies before Children’s Services appeared. No obvious dirt in the living room, he headed toward the kitchen, but his mind kept flying back to Ms. Brown.
She had the whole librarian thing going on, with her dark hair tied up in a bun and glasses resting on the end of her nose. Though, none of the women who worked at the local branch made his cock throb. Perhaps there was some truth to the naughty librarian tale. He wished.
Most women’s version of naughty did not come close to his. While the whole BDSM club scene didn’t appeal to him, he enjoyed a little bondage during foreplay. He’d spent months at a time deployed in the Middle East. While home, he appreciated the opportunity to date the pretty women who found a guy in uniform sexy. But once he fetched the cuffs, they bolted. They hadn’t even wanted to use them on him.
Ms. Brown was no girl, though. No more than a couple years his senior, she exuded experience with her seductive glances, her posture that plunged her cleavage into his line of sight, and that damn wiggle of her ass as she sashayed back to her car. She could teach him a thing or two. He yearned for the chance to find out.
No, his next lay could no longer be at the forefront of his mind. In less than an hour, he would become the father-figure to two impressionable young children. His sexual urges would have to take leave for the foreseeable future.

If you prefer PRINT over ebooks, all five of these 1Night Stand stories are available in the anthology, Intergalactic Heat. Unfortunately, it is NOT free.
And remember, you don't have to have an e-reader to read e-books. There are many FREE e-reader apps for your computer, smartphone and tablet.
Bio: Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.
When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.
Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.


Monday, February 4, 2013

Fear or Curiosity


Hello! I’m Jessica Subject. For those who have never read my stories, I write contemporary and science fiction romance ranging from sweet to erotica. They may contain sexy aliens or clones, and are set on Earth, in space, and on other planets, in the present and future.
One of the things I have read in reviews of two of my 1Night Stand stories is that the heroines accept the fact that their date is an alien too easy. Well, I guess that’s where my characters are a lot like me.
If I was single and met a sexy man who I found out (with undeniable proof) was an alien, I would, of course, be fearful. But then my curiosity would take over. I’d want to know more about where he came from, how he arrived on Earth, and exactly how he was different from the men here on Earth. Wouldn’t you?
Now, I’m not talking an alien invasion here. This is one lone alien, or maybe two, who have already proven they mean no harm. I definitely wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.
You tell me what you think. Here’s Carrie’s reaction from Celestial Seduction, followed by Danyka’s reaction from Satin Sheets in Space. These excerpts happen after they’ve freaked out.
Celestial Seduction
   She stood in front of him then and held out her hands. His black eyes met hers as he wrapped her hands in his.    “You’re okay with what I told you?”
   “No, but I’m trying to stay open-minded.” She tried to keep her hands from shaking even as she showed him she could handle the information. “I don’t feel like you want to hurt me though.”
   He lightly squeezed her hands, a smile forming on his lips.    “I would never bring you harm.”
   Lifting one hand up, she gently placed it on the side of his face. “Will you show me what you really look like? I can see your real eyes, but I want to see the rest.”
   “You won’t run away?” She winced seeing all of the confidence he’d had at the beginning of the night gone, but it made her trust him even more.    “Whatever you do, please don’t scream.”
   “I promised to stay the entire night, didn’t I?”

Satin Sheets in Space
   Alien? She’d been abducted by an alien? Sure, she’d fantasized about having sex with an extraterrestrial during many sessions with her dildo but hadn’t expected her dreams to become reality. And she swore she’d heard two males talking rather than one as she woke. A hallucination? Her cheek warmed as a hand pressed against it. She opened her eyes.
   Nope, all real from the hotter-than-hell alien lying beside her to the cherry red silk-lined room. On the apparent spaceship. Although darker than her dress, their surroundings matched her most comfortable pair of pajamas back home. Had he rummaged through her belongings as she lay unconscious?
   Her stomach clenched. What did he want with her? Were they on a medical probing ship? She could handle his fingers, his ravaging tongue, and the sizable cock he’d pressed against her, but she didn’t want to be part of some alien experiment. “T…take me back to Earth.”
He straddled her, resting on his hands and knees. Sexual energy radiated off him, weakening her resolve. He ran his tongue along her lips, reigniting her need. She lost the will to fight, if she had any at all, and accepted the slow, tender kiss he offered.
   Her pussy ached to be filled. Maybe she could spend some more time on this spaceship—at least long enough to experience the rest of him.
She gasped as he pulled away.
   “Don’t you want to see where this goes? I have so much to offer you, and I promise you won’t regret staying.”
Breaking their connection seemed to have cleared her head, at least a bit. She inched out from underneath him, sitting up and gaining some distance.    “I…I do. It’s just…alien? Really?”
   His large brown eyes turned glassy. “I am, and if you’d like to return, I understand. I don’t want you to think you’re trapped here. I could never do that to you.”
   She breathed in deep. He’d stirred her guilt. She understood the pain of rejection. How could she do that to another, even if he wasn’t from Earth?
   “I…I want to know more…about you, about where you come from.” Then, maybe, the entire situation wouldn’t seem so bizarre.
Bio: Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from her readers.

Giveaway!!
For your chance to WIN an ebook copy of one of my 1Night Stand titles, leave a comment telling me how you would react if you met a sexy alien. Contest is international. Winner will be notified by email on February 6, 2013. Good luck!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Ingredients for a 1Night Stand

Buy Intergalactic Heat HERE!

by Jessica E. Subject
I admit it. I’m a 1Night Stand addict. Not only do I write these stories, but I also buy them and read them. You can check my read and to-read list on Goodreads to confirm this if you want. The thing I like about this line at Decadent, is that the stories are all SO different. Of all those I’ve read, I honestly can’t say that I could compare one to another. Yes, they all involve a one-night stand between the parties involved, and with a little magic from Madame Evangeline, one night may lead to many more. But, the characters range from regular humans, to shifters, vampires, aliens, and more. And the dates occur all over the Earth and beyond. Some are more memorable than others, and all a treat to read. Hats off to everyone involved in this series.
So, I’m going to tell you how I create a 1Night Stand story. I’m sure every author involved in this line has their own formula for writing one of these stories, but here’s mine:

ONE – Take a character who feels out of place in society, whether born this way, or as a result of something that has happened in their life. This is a character who is not usually the life of the party, but content to stand back and watch. Or perhaps they might not even be at the party, content to be on their own. And sometimes, they just want to break free. Here are examples from my stories:
Frey (Celestial Seduction) – He’s an alien from the planet Ginnun. On his own planet, he is not supposed to feel emotions, but he does. On Earth, he does not look the same as us, with his blue shimmery skin, but he is able to create a human image to disguise himself.
Tamara (Beneath the Starry Sky) – She has Alopecia Areata, an auto-immune disease that has caused her to lose her hair. She wears a wig, but has lost her confidence.
Jewel (Unknown Futures) – She has acid burn scars all over her face.
Danyka (Satin Sheets in Space) – She is taller than most guys she knows and has radiant red hair, causing her to stand out in a crowd when she doesn’t want to.
Paige (Sudden Breakaway) – As a member of the Space Service, she lives in the shadows recruiting others, but she does not have time for a life.

TWO – Add another character or characters with issues of their own. This character is usually more outgoing, and in some cases, set up on the 1Night Stand by someone else. Here are the other halves:
Carrie (Celestial Seduction) – She is a pediatric nurse, but is also unable to have children.
Josh (Beneath the Starry Sky) – He is a former sci-fi television star with his own secrets making him want to leave the limelight.
Flavia (Unknown Futures) – She is one of only a few beings from Earth working on the Space Service space station. And she is very homesick.
Galan – An alien wanting to settle down. But he also has to think of his brother, and shipmate, Volan.
Jared – A former Marine who is now the guardian of his preschool-aged niece and nephew.

THREE – Add in an interesting location, whether it be a cave in the woods, a spaceship, a space station, or even a hockey game.

FOUR – Include intense attraction but some hesitation.

FIVE – Sprinkle in some of Madame Evangeline’s magic, and you have the beginnings of a 1Night Stand story.
I have five 1Night Stand stories out there now, with plans for more. And I’m so happy to say that you can find my first five in the print anthology, Intergalactic Heat.

Giveaway!!
For your chance to WIN swag from all five of my 1Night Stand stories, tell me what you think is an important ingredient in a romance story. Contest is international. Winner will be announced December 31, 2012. Good luck!

A date on a space station? Alien lovers? Madame Evangeline, owner of the exclusive 1Night Stand dating service is known to be magical in fulfilling the ideal dates of her clients, but she’s outdone herself this time, bring together beings from Earth and beyond. As long as applicants are willing to let go of their pasts and open their hearts and minds, she will find their perfect match, whether they be a former sci-fi television star, a nurse, an employee of the Space Service, a former Marine, or even an extraterrestrial. Because everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after…

Buy Links:


Excerpt from Beneath the Starry Sky – MF Contemporary Erotic Romance
She’d held onto so much hope for this date, and nothing had gone right. She still didn’t know who this guy was. Yet, he’d already rejected her with his expression. This is the last date Im going on, unless Im lucky enough for my hair to grow back.

His gaze never left her, making her even more humiliated. “You’re….”
“What? Ugly? Bald?”

He shook his head. “No, I was going to say my date. I’ve been so busy lately and Madame Evangeline had to send me a reminder.”

She paused at the Frenchwoman’s name. Could this hunk of a man really be her date? Didn’t matter. He wouldn’t want her now. “Well, surprise! I’m damaged goods, so you might as well leave and ask her for a refund.”

As she slumped to the floor, more tears streamed down her face. Why is life so unfair? She’d worked hard all of her life, never taking shortcuts or the easy way out. Not an outcast or popular, she’d been friends with everyone in school and college. And healthy. She’d taken extra care to eat properly in order to avoid being diagnosed with diabetes, like her parents.

Since that fateful day when she’d discovered her two, oval-shaped bald patches, she’d been dumped by her fiancé and lost all of her hair, along with any chance to find love and have a family vanishing. Kids were out of the question. Sure, their chances of inheriting alopecia were unlikely, but on the chance they did, they’d hate her for passing her faulty genetics on to them. She couldn’t live with that. She’d be alone. Forever.

Excerpt from Satin Sheets in Space – MFM Science Fiction Erotic Romance
She had her eyes closed, her lips pressed against his, when the sensation started. First, a tingling in her hands and feet, as he swept his digits deep inside her. The buzz spread up her arms and legs until it engulfed her entire body. She no longer sensed the ground below her.

The man continued to drive his fingers into her core with vigor, ridding her of the urge to pull away and find out what was happening to her. She landed with a thud, feeling returning to her limbs. Nothing stopped the man who held her, though. He continued to ravage her mouth, her jaw, her neck, keeping her pressed against the wall.

But something felt different. Gone was the hard brick pressing through her corset and against her skin. She reached behind to brush her hand along the surface. Soft. Almost like cushioned satin.

With a whimper, she pushed the strange man away. Where was she? What had she been thinking? This is the stupidest, most insane thing I’ve ever done.
The Prince Charming she’d had the fortune of being set up with peered down at her, his gaze intense and filled with lust. “My name is Galan, and we’re in my spaceship.”

At least she now knew his name, but wait…. Spaceship? She stared at the man, disillusioned. She could think of no other explanation for how they had traveled to a new location with the press of a button. Oh God, she’d been abducted by an alien. How would she get out of this situation? The first time she’d done something spur-of-the-moment, and she’d ended up being finger-fucked by an extraterrestrial.

Or was this some kind of elaborate stunt Josh had pulled off? But why? He was on his honeymoon, unable to enjoy his handiwork. Her body grew numb; a loud ringing pierced her eardrums. She could no longer think with the clouds invading her mind. Then she blacked out.

Bio:
Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.