Friday 28 February 2014

Author Hot Seat Welcomes - Erika Almond

The author hot seat specials are designed to help readers get to know some of today's popular and up and coming authors a little better. The questions are broken into sections - getting started, about your writing, about you, fun stuff and finally. Some of the questions are easy, other may need a little more thought and some may cause our author friends to hesitate before answering—still, they all answer.

Today we welcome Erika Almond to the blog, doing the interview and highlighting her Steamy Love Series. Let's see what Erika has to say.

Getting Started:

Tell us about your latest book. What was your inspiration for writing it, is it part of an ongoing series, the characters, the genre etc?

The Steamy Love Scenes series started off with a short story, “Enjoy the Show.” Ellora’s Cave liked it so much they offered me a three-title contract! “Intermission” and “Double Feature” continue the adventures of Josie, a hotheaded artist; Miles, the actor she meets and, um, has a good time with in the balcony of the local movie palace; and Riley, Josie’s good-hearted bad boy best friend and ex. It’s such a fun series that really fits the EC “romantica” feeling. There are a lot of emotions in the books – growing romance, friendship, daring to be what you want – along with lots of hot sexy times J

About your writing:

How many books have you written during your career so far and which is your favorite?

I’ve been writing for years, but the Steamy Love Scenes series launched my erotic romance writing career. Ellora’s Cave is publishing another story, Soulgasm, soon. Of these four, picking a favorite…is impossible! Okay, I’ll say “Double Feature,” because it’s told in part from Riley’s point of view. He’s one of my favorite characters ever. His heart’s in the right place, but another part of his body is in a lot of other places. One of the best descriptions I ever heard about Riley was when a reviewer called him “charmingly immoral.”

Have any of your books received negative reviews and how did you handle the situation?

No, thank goodness, and I’m knocking on wood as I say it.

Do you believe in writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome it?

I’ve never experienced it, and I’m knocking furiously on wood again. I believe there are things that may keep us from writing, but that’s why Julia Cameron gave us THE ARTIST’S WAY. That book is a writer’s block bulldozer.

What is the one genre you would never write and why?

I don’t usually choose my stories – they choose me, so “never” is tough to say. I’ll contradict myself here and say probably not historical romance, chiefly because they require a ton of detailed research, from big events down to small shoe buttons, and that’s not my thing. Nor are men wearing hose and wigs. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

Have you ever written a book that you’ve regretted publishing and why?

The only books I regret are the ones I don’t write. Doubt is the greatest enemy of any writer. Suckerpunch doubt and get to the keyboard.

If a reader said they wanted to write a book, what advice would you give them? 

See above, “Suckerpunch doubt and get to the keyboard.” It’s a variation on Nora Roberts’s timeless explanation of how she’s written hundreds of books: “Ass in chair.”

About you:

Tell us what a typical day in your life is like?

I used to think being a successful author required sitting at the computer and typing thousands of words like a madwoman. Then a friend said, “Life doesn’t happen behind a computer screen.” You have to get out and see things, talk to people, have experiences. Ideas never come to me when I’m at the computer. I make sure I go outside, get together with friends, hear new things. Then I come home with inspiration and write. On writing days I work anywhere from four to six hours, typing like a madwoman.

What sort of things put you in a bad mood?

Thinking too much about the future. It’s great to plan what can be planned, but there’s a lot that’s out of my control, like how a book is going to do. Hanging out in the present moment keeps me in a great mood!

Do you have a bucket list and what’s one thing you still want to do that you haven’t done?

No bucket list – a lot of time can go by just compiling that! When there’s something I want to do I jump in. I’m very impulsive – that’s how all my books have been written. Thank goodness my husband is practical or I’d likely be writing to you from Las Vegas, broke but with a ton of great stories.

What makes you laugh?

The HBO series Girls. The bromance between Kirk and Spock in Star Trek: Into Darkness. Sherlock. Cat videos. The amount of time I spend worrying.

What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done?

I wonder which is more embarrassing, the margarita-soaked episodes or the fact that I can’t remember them. 

Do you like to read and what are you reading at the moment?

Reading for me is like eating. Go too long without and I get very grumpy! One of the things I love about erotic romance is that you can have anything from the snack of a short story, a meal of a novella, or a feast of a novel – all rather inexpensively! I’m a fan of the buffet, so I read a few books at once. Right now it’s Cara McKenna’s exquisite Curio series, Hope Tarr’s sweet OPERATION CINDERELLA, and Lisa Renee Jones’ “His Secrets” novella.

If you couldn’t write anymore, what would you do instead?

It took a full five minutes to answer this question because the thought scared the censored out of me. I’d find a way to write. I don’t have a Plan B.

Fun Stuff:

If you could go out with one famous person who would it be and why?

Ooh!! I’d really fancy a lunch date with Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead to talk about his photography.

Do you have a habit that drives your partner/friends/family nuts and what is it?

I asked my husband this question. He said, “If you had a bad habit that drove me nuts I’d tell you immediately so you could stop it.” He also tells me when I look fat in a dress, but he always blames the dress. He’s a dream, adorable and so supportive J

In your opinion, what makes a person attractive?

Kindness and wit that doesn’t depend on sarcasm. Also dark-haired pretty boys with full lips a la Tom Welling, formerly of Smallville, and Cillian Murphy. But I’ve recently developed more than a casual interest in blonds thanks to Chris Hemsworth and Charlie Hunnam.

What is the strangest food you’ve ever eaten?

I don’t know if this is considered strange, but I don’t understand cuisine that needs to be artfully plated and is so tiny that the description of it on the menu is larger than the actual portion. That tends to inspire depression and a raging food bummer.

Would you rather have a classic 1969 convertible Mustang or have the use of a beach side condo any time you want?

I would rather drive the Mustang to the beachside condo. I live with an “and” mindset, rather than “either/or.”

And finally:

Would you rather survive an apocalyptic event (yes, even a zombie apocalypse) or die instantly without knowing what happened to your family and friends?

I’m a big fan of The Walking Dead, so I know the company you keep has a lot to do with this choice. If I could be with Daryl Dixon, I’ll pick survival.


Steamy Love Scenes 1: Enjoy the Show
After finding out her boyfriend’s been unfaithful, Josie heads to her town’s movie theater to cool off from the summer’s heat and her blazing temper. She has no idea how steamy things are about to get. When hot and handsome actor Miles sits next to her in the empty balcony, he and Josie make their own X-rated film. But more than clothing is shed during their risqué matinee, and Josie may find her drama being re-scripted as a love story—if she’ll let Miles be her new leading man.


Steamy Love Scenes 2: Intermission
Josie’s still rocked by her risqué matinee with hot movie star Miles but her no-account ex Riley is causing her grief. Once she squares him away, Josie arranges for a special midnight show with Miles before he leaves for Hollywood. But Miles isn’t ready to cut Josie out of his picture just yet. He enlists her to help him pick out his next script and the two act out a very sexy scene of their own. Josie might just be a good time in the intermission between movie projects for Miles but she wonders if she’d like to be the star of his show.

Steamy Love Scenes 3: Double Feature
Josie’s sexy ex Riley is back, this time with his heart (and other parts of his body) set on winning the only woman who can match his skill and desires in the bedroom. But hot movie star Miles wants to convince Josie to be his leading lady with an elaborate claiming ritual guaranteed to get a triple-X rating. Secrets playing out behind the scenes could have Josie strutting a red carpet to true love—or falling back into the arms of the man who first rocked her world.


Buy Links:
Steamy Love Scenes 1: Enjoy the Show

Steamy Love Scenes 2: Intermission

Steamy Love Scenes 3: Double Feature


About the Author:
Erika Almond is a nice lady who writes naughty stories. In her past lives she was a bartender and a rock journalist, sometimes simultaneously. Her life as an author of erotic romance is definitely more fun now.
Twitter: @ErikaAlmond

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