Up Close and Personal with Author Rachel Leigh

What is your greatest temptation:
In men: Laughter
In food: Scallops (or sugared doughnuts!)
In clothes: I love long skirts & vest tops

What is your greatest weakness (example: buying shoes)? Heeled shoes & boots

If you could have any kind of car, what would it be? Peugeot soft top

Your dream home – mountains or ocean? Mountains – we holiday every year in the gorgeous green mountains of Wales and I have yet to find a place I am more relaxed.

What inspired you to become a writer? I’ve always wanted to write but I never knew if I could, so I bit the bullet and submitted my first erotic romance to The Wild Rose Press – it was accepted, yay!

Do you have a daily writing routine? If so, please share. I have two young daughters, a husband, a dog and a part-time job….so I don’t have a routine but I do make sure I write at least 500 words EVERY day. When you put your mind to it, 500 is always possible but most the time you can do more. Try it!

What is your favorite book? Too many to mention…probably Nora Roberts Montana Sky is up there. As for erotic romance, I always enjoy Desiree Holt.

What is your favorite movie? Notting Hill

Who is your favorite historical figure? Anne Boleyn – that girl had fire!

 In your books, who is your favorite hero and please introduce him? My favorite hero is Sean Mackenzie who appears in my next story, “Coming Back” which is released by The Wild Rose Press on August 12th.
He is proud, sexy, quietly confident and totally in love with heroine, Kelly Hampton – they are perfect for each other and the heat between them…woo-hoo!!

Who is your favorite heroine and please introduce her? My favorite heroine is interior designer Laura Markham from my current release, “Explicitly English” – after a family tragedy she picks herself up and decides to take her life into her hands. Living for the moment, she gets on a train bound for the English countryside and her new client’s home. The super hot, super sexy fun starts on the way there and doesn’t stop…yum!

What do you have out now?
Explicitly English is out now from The Wild Rose Press, here is the blurb:

Laura Markham needs to forget – just for awhile. Be someone else for change – live as her parents will never have the chance to. And for Laura, that means leaving the City for the English countryside and doing just what the hell she feels like…wherever she feels like doing it…

British stockbroker, Stephen Cambridge knows by going home to his country retreat two days early, he’s likely to surprise his contracted interior designer. And when he finds out she’s the woman who performed the solo masterbation show for him on the inward bound journey, Stephen will do anything to further convince her to miss the outward bound train and stay with him forever…

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=790

 

 

 

 

 

 

New releases anytime soon?
My next release is out August 12th from The Wild Rose Press– Here’s the blurb for “Coming Back” – enjoy!

Kelly Hampton loved once…and lost. After two years of looking for Sean McKenzie in other men–and failing miserably–she takes a vow of celibacy. No sex until she finds love. Then Sean strolls back into her bar, reigniting old flames. No one has come close to understanding or satisfying her like he did. Her body burns for the passion they once shared, but her heart still remembers the pain.

Sean escaped Jessop Hill and his father’s fists in the middle of the night without a word–even to his love, Kelly–to protect his battered mother, but he never forgot the explosively erotic relationship he left behind. Now his father is dead and Sean is back for the only woman he’s ever wanted. Their reunion is full of fire – but can sexual attraction and noble intentions overcome years of heartache or will Kelly walk away to protect her heart this time.

http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=182&products_id=837

Where can eager fans find you?
www.rachelleigh.co.uk

http://www.rachelleighromance.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Leigh/266044849655

Read Full Post »

Hooking Up with Lynne Roberts

Welcome Lynne Roberts from Under the Covers with Lynne!  Bianca has turned the tables on Lynne, asking her to answer her own interview questions.

 Lynne will be giving away a download of her new release HOOKING UP to one lucky visitor who asks her a question – any question!  Now there’s a deal!

 Bianca pats the sofa beside her.  Lynne, you are on stage.

 First important question. Silk, satin, cotton, flannel. What is your sheet of choice and why?

 High quality cotton! Silk and satin are fun, but ultimately, I’m practical. Have you ever worn silk on silk? It’s like a slippery slide. Laughter in bed is nice and all that, but sometimes you want to remain in one place for a little bit.

 It’s a slumber party! Calories don’t count. What snacks will we be munching on at midnight?

 Anything salty and chocolate. How about chocolate covered pretzels!

 When playing truth or dare, would you pick truth or dare?

Truth!

 If truth, tell us something not very many people know.

I write fantasy under my real name and have a book coming out later this year through Carina Press. Mmm. That’s not very good. How about I’m a mother to 6 kids and a half dozen more teenagers hang out at my house after school and on weekends.

 What are you usually wearing at three o’clock in the morning?

 Depends on the time of year and how many kids are in the house.

 As writers, let’s talk about writing.

 Lynne, what surprised you the most about the publishing process?

How wonderful authors are. I mostly know writers of the romance genre but I’ve found they are the friendliest, most helpful people in the world. Best? Its so nice to know people who get this crazy impulse to put words on paper, submit it, take criticism and rejection, rewrite, rewrite, and rewrite all for a chance that someday someone will read it and like it! When you look at it from the outside, knowing what it’s like on the inside, it’s kinda crazy.

 What’s your typical writing day like?

Typically, I write fiction in the morning for an hour, handle emails and blogs for another hour, then start my non-fiction work—which pays the majority of the bills. I pick up my youngest daughter and son and 1:30, do homework with them, then pick up my other daughter and son at 2:30… again homework. I’ll skip to the evening when I try to squeeze in one more hour for fiction. Of course this can all change if I have edits due…then it’s pizza and a messy house.

 What is your favorite part of being a romance writer?

The writing community and hearing back from readers who loved my books. It never gets old. : )

Least favorite? Waiting… bad reviews. It’s a toss up. Fortunately, I haven’t received very many bad reviews but boy do they sting. I have to remind myself that not everyone is going to like my work. It’s hard.

 Tell us about your newest release.

Hooking Up is the story of Trisha and Glenn. It’s a short story that still chokes me up at the ending. It’s difficult to say too much about it without ruining the story for you. But honestly, out of all my shorts, I’d recommend you read this one. Wow, I don’t think a writer is supposed to say that. LOL

Blurb:

Trisha is tired of tame, tired of predictable. After years of playing the supporting role, she longs for one night of unrestrained sensuality, a night of passion to reawaken the woman she once was. Can she step out of her comfort zone and into the arms of a stranger for a single taste of erotic abandon?

Excerpt:

The hum of conversation buzzed in her ears and increased the nagging feeling of isolation. She was alone. In a bar. Her spine stiffened and she took a deep breath. Despite the pale line of skin marking where her ring had been just that morning, she’d been alone for a long time.

 One of the bartenders headed in her direction, wiping his hands on a white towel tucked into his waistband. “Hi! What would you like?”

 Lately, a loaded question on her best day. “Do you have red wine? Rioja?”

 He grinned and his eyes sparkled. The smile would have charmed the panties right off her fifteen, or even ten years ago. Now it just made her tired.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

 “Sure thing. Anything else?”

 A time machine? She shook her head.

 The bartender tapped the counter. “Be right back, hon.”

 Hon? Trisha smiled and turned on the barstool. A waitress in a short, black skirt and a white buttondown shirt that barely contained her ample breasts leaned over the counter to hand an order to one of the bartenders. The skirt inched up, revealing long legs encased in fishnet stockings and a hint of her heart-shaped ass.

 No doubt about it. I’m getting old. Once upon a time she would have been flashing her ass, or at least a good deal of thigh, finding a suitable partner and taking him home to fuck until the wee hours of the morning. And now? Well, that was the question, wasn’t it?

 Do you have anything in the works?

Yes, so many but none ready for submission. I need to get my tail in gear. I just finished copy-edits for my fantasy and need to light a fire under a certain CP who has what I think will be my next submission. ; )

 Where can we find you?

I got married on the 14^th and then there was the honeymoon. : ) Now that I’m back, I intend to dive back into the internet with both feet.

1. Lynne@lynneroberts.net
2. http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/
3. I’m also on facebook and twitter @Lynne_Roberts

Congratulations on the wedding!

Now for the dreaded personal questions:

What would you consider a romantic date?

One of the most romantic dates I’ve been on recently was to Baskin Robins for a shared ice cream sundae. I know it sounds sappy, but anywhere with my honey is romantic. If I had to plan something… I’d take him to the park with a picnic lunch followed by a walk by the river. Or, better yet. A candlelight dinner on the beach followed by a long walk.

 The beach picnic and the walk in the waves sounds dreamy!

 What is the best pick-up line someone has ever tried on you? Did it work?

Is that perfume or lotion that you’re wearing? And yes it did. At least I’m marrying him later this week. ; )

 What is your favorite season?

I live in the Central Valley in California. I love spring and fall equally but we don’t  get much of either. 110 and I don’t get along very well.

 If you could have any car, which would it be?

Sl Mercedes 350 AMG, but it costs almost as much as my house so…. ; )

 Who is your favorite actor?

Hands down Johnny Depp. I don’t think that requires further explanation.

What is a movie you could watch over and over?

The Princess Bride. I love that movie.

What is your favorite alcoholic drink? I like fruity girly drinks. The prettier the better.

You read the excerpt!  Hooking Up is a Must Have.  REMEMBER, ask Lynne a question, any question, to be entered to win a copy of Hooking Up!!

Read Full Post »

Making the Switch

Though I blogged on this topic earlier at another site, I thought I would repeat it on my blog — because I wanted to post something today!!

Making the switch from paranormal romance to erotica was a challenge I set myself.  The Wild Rose Press has a line called Destination Pleasure featuring hot encounters in exotic locales.  I woke up one morning with a story idea for the line and proceeded to write.

My first draft was a far cry from the heat level required for The Wilder Roses, and I hadn’t used any of the buzz words.  I was fortunate that the editor liked my story and worked with me to make it hotter erotica!

 I was reluctant to use the buzz words at first—calling a spade a spade—but as I went along it got easier.  In my second erotic novella, buzz words were a breeze, though I do find that it is hard not use the same ones ad nauseum.

For many years, I was a breeder of Andalusians, the beautiful, bullfighting horses of Spain.  For the first time, my hero wasn’t a vampire, fallen angel or otherworldly creature.  Damian is a rejoneador, a brave man who fights the fierce Iberian bulls from horseback.  He also manages the family’s sherry empire and is famous for his wins in the dressage arena.

Erica, the heroine, boards a plane with one thing in mind—finding the perfect horse.  Instead, in the heat of the Spanish nights, she discovers her own sexual awareness.

Hot Spanish Nights was fun to write because I had the experience with the horses, but getting into the bullfighter’s head was a little more difficult.  At length, he began to reveal who he was, other than a rejoneador. Like the oldest of fraternal twins, who succeeded to his position as king of their sherry and horse domain.

I stayed away from a scene at the bullfight because many people find the sport offensive, and bullfighting isn’t central to the plot.

 I am still writing paranormal—love those strange heroes—in fact just got a rejection from an agent that I really thought/hoped would represent one of my fallen angel manuscripts.  After I give myself time to lick my wounds, I’ll just shout NEXT.

 The Wild Rose Press has contracted a Wilder Roses novella about a fallen angel called Celestial Sin. I don’t have a release date yet but please check back!!

The hot hunk is Damian.  For more pix of him, take a look at the trailer on the Hot Spanish Nights tab.

Hot Spanish Nights was in the Top Ten in the Preditors and Editors Poll in erotica.

Read Full Post »

RELEASE DAY!!!

HOT SPANISH NIGHTS released today from The Wild Rose Press.  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=792

I’m having a Release Day Party at The Pink Fuzzy Slippers http://pinkfuzzyslipperwriters.blogspot.com/  Please drop by for fun giveaways, including a download of HOT SPANISH NIGHTS.  There is also a blog on bullfighting since the hero is a rejoneador.

Damian, the hero in HSN, is being interviewed at http://www.tonivsweeney.com/Blog/Blog.html  I’m offering a HSN coffee mug to a random winner who comments with Damian.

I’m excited about HSN.  For years, I bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses, and these beautiful equines are featured in HSN.  I fell instantly in love with Damian because he is a master horseman and a master of other very erotic skills!!  See the trailer.

Read Full Post »

Early Morning Musings

It’s 5 o’clock in the morning, and I’m awake.  Tired but wired.  Had to leave home yesterday because of a leak in a neighboring condo.  I’d planned to work all weekend on a novel that an agent has requested to see.  I will  but somehow my muse wants to be home not camping out at a friend’s house.  I do have the place to myself, so I can get some writing in.  The agent asked for more character development, so off I am to delve into the psyche of a 21st century woman and a fallen angel.

Looking forward to the release of Hot Spanish Nights and rewrites on another fallen angel story (erotic) about an angel who falls into a woman’s arms–and wants to stay there, working title, Do Angels Dream?

Happy Saturday!!

Read Full Post »