Z. Allora on Writing, World Building and her release ‘The Craving’ (guest blog and giveaway)

The Craving by Z. Allora
Dreamspinner Press
Cover Artist: Paul Richmond

Available for Purchase at

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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to host Z. Allora here today talking about writing, world building and her latest story.  Welcome, Z.

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Star System Building Starts With Sex by Z. Allora

I want to thank Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words for allowing me to share my new release with you: The Craving. (There’s also a giveaway to thank the readers). If you read my stories or you’re one of my Facebook Pretties, you know I believe that the relationships we have with sex and gender affects the filter we use to view the world. I figured just cause I’m wandering through space doesn’t mean I can’t continue to explore this connection.

Before writing The Craving I had to understand the generalizations each planet had about sex. What would their feelings and expectations toward sex, orientation, and gender. Do they have anything taboo? What are they? Why are they? Then I had to piece together if my character agreed or denied their society’s view on sex and relationships.

K’Dane: (moderately wealthy and technologically advanced)

The K’Danes believe they are sexually progressive. They openly discuss recreating (masturbation) and sex. The K’Danes go through a biological process called the craving, which is an unstoppable urge to soothe the burning need to bond on a physical and spiritual level.

Phoenix Dotir comes from K’Dane and he’s marked as a Chosen. This means he’ll forego a life mate to dedicate himself to his art. He’ll be doing every thing he can to avoid the craving. He adopted the monk’s Principles of Purity earlier than he has to which involves him wearing a protective device. He even exacted a promise from his mother that she would medicate him if he went into the craving.

Zadra Solav is torn between being respectful of Phoenix’s status as a chosen and going after what he wants. He’s open like most K’Dane but won’t try to convince Phoenix to abandon his path. 

Ambrosial: (Garden planet half vacation destination half monastery)

There is no sex at the monastery. The Principles of Purity promote chastity. Many of the initiates were unaware of the strict code of conduct or how a protective unit (chastity belt) ensures adherence to the principles. Orgasms are taboo. Even though most don’t like it they live under the strict rules or are careful not to get caught.

Song Di Wangan II: (Uber wealthy and technologically advanced)

Song citizens used to heart link with one partner for life.

The Xi virus ravaged the planet a thousand seasons ago causing many to perish. Those that were heart linked couldn’t survive the loss of their partner and it devastated the population. As a result of this monogamy was all but outlawed.

No sexual act is taboo on Song Di Wangan II. On a person’s coming of age day their parents would gift them with erotic pleasure workers to celebrate in any manner they wished. But desiring a heart linked love is viewed as backwards and dangerous.

Eytan Rain Otak Sita wants to share his life with one love. His family deemed his needs counter culture and disgusting, thus sent him away.

Feri: (radiated rock, life expectancy short & death painful)

The citizens of Feri learned at a young age, if you had privacy, time and energy you sought as much satisfaction as you could. Tomorrow wasn’t promise so enjoy everything you can to the fullest.

Riva Quinton believed in love and marriage. He wasn’t aware going to Ambrosial would mean giving up pleasure.

Viking Haven: (Capital planet and blessed in most ways)

People, who identified as female, threatened the current ruler’s great-great-great-great grandfather legitimacy. So rather then surrender his seat of power or worse share it, he mandated a gender divide. Male lords and males slaves were allowed to stay in Viking Haven’s capital while all others were banished to Valhalla.

The lords were kept to serve and protect His Greatness. Some still maintained relationships with women in Valhalla but until recently there was no easy assessable path. Homosexual power exchanges were the expected norm.

Slaves were born with the honor of serving the lords. Slaves were meant to receive penetration and the lords were meant to give. This stringent framework creates a number of issues for Viking Haven and those in charge need.

I could go into greater detail but you get the idea. Let me share the blurb with you.

The Craving Blurb:

The craving is an undeniable urge that drives K’Dane citizens to find their life mates—if only to sate their uncontrollable physical longings.

Thrilled at being named a Chosen, Phoenix Dotir leaves K’Dane to become an artist-monk who will create dimensional art capable of changing worlds. Living by the monastery’s Principles of Purity will surely help him overcome the craving. But he never accounted for star chaser Zadra Solav.

Zadra doesn’t believe in rules and makes his own future. Fate separates him from the man he loves, but one touch renders him helpless to his own desires. Bonding with a monk is forbidden, and Zadra’s family sends him to deep space to avoid disgrace. Unable to give up, Zadra must find a way reunite with his Chosen.

Tormented by enforced separation, Initiate Riva Quinton struggles with his vow of chastity and risks all to rescue his lover. Together with his Eros, he stows away on board a star craft to follow his heart.

Four men defy destiny and tradition for love… but their love is a crime punishable by death.

Buy Links:

Dreamspinner Press ebooks and Paperback

Giveaway

 Leave a comment about your favorite sci-fi series (TV or book). There’s two ways to win: You’ll be entered into win a $20 Dreamspinner gift certificate (which goes across all the blog sites on The Craving tour) and I’ll also pick a winner from each individual site for an e-book from my backlist.  Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

About the Author

Z. Allora believes in happily ever afters for everyone. She met her own true love through the personals and has traveled to over thirty countries with him. She’s lived in Singapore, Israel and China. Now back home to the USA she’s an active member of PFLAG and a strong supporter of those on the rainbow in her community. She wants to promote understanding and acceptance through her actions and words. Writing rainbow romance allows her words to open hearts and change minds.

To contact Z. Allora:

E-mail: Z.AlloraHappyEndings@gmail.com

FACEBOOK:   Z Allora Allora

Website: www.zallorabooks.com

Twitter: @ZAllora