Author Interview - Eve Adams on Under the Covers

Emma: Today, I am featuring an interview with Eve Adams, author of Under the Covers, a super hot Ménage Amour from Siren Publishing (18 and older only).

Blurb:

Desperate to find her missing sister, Mia Andrews follows her trail to an underground sex ring where women are sold off every night. Under cover as a courtesan, the only way to find her sister is to go in with no holds barred.

Undercover Agent Wayde Davis bids on the sexy-as-sin Mia the instant she wobbles out onto the stage in 4-inch stilettos. She fits the profile of the missing women and may be next. If protecting her means taking her to bed, he'd be more than willing to make that sacrifice.

Painfully shy, high-roller James Pearce wants the dark beauty as his permanent courtesan. He also knows his unique fetish requires the help of another man, one so taken with Mia he's willing to do anything to stay by her side--even share her.

Welcome Eve! First, let me say I’m always on the lookout for a super hot ménage story and this one definitely looks like it fits the bill. You have to love two hot heroes!

Eve: Thank you so much for having me! I'm super excited to be here. This is my first ménage, but it won't be my last!

Emma: The concept of ménage a trios has tantalized and titillated the imagination for hundreds of years. Two well-known historical ménages are that of Emma Hamilton, her husband, and Horatio Nelson and the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and Lady Elizabeth Foster. The tabloids and gossips had great fun with them in their day. What do you think the fascination stems from?

Eve: I think it is the fantasy in it all. The idea that you are a part of (or reading) something so taboo makes a person feel naughty, and in a good way. My ménage stories are always M/F/M, meaning there are two men and one woman, and the men aren't interested in each other, only the woman. To have two men completely focused on a woman's pleasure makes that woman feel like royalty. Who wouldn't want that?

Emma: I’ll admit that I have a ménage a trios work in progress. It is demanding to be a book, the first in my Mates of the Guardians series. All of the shorts are providing the background for the main story line. I am afraid of how fans, family, and friends will receive it. Did you have to overcome this fear?

Eve: I'm very upfront with everyone on my Eve Adams pen name. When I decided to use a different name for my ménage stories, I did it so my readers know the different genres in my stories. With an Allie K. Adams book you will get non-stop action and sizzling romance, and the relationship will be M/F only. With an Eve Adams book you will get hot action and even hotter romance, and the relationship in the book will be M/F/M.

Emma: You’ve also written some fantastic suspense romances under the name Allie K. Adams. (For an excerpt from At Any Cost, readers can visit http://www.alliekadams.com/AACch1.html. I promise you won’t be disappointed.)I was fascinated to read that you belonged to your local Search and Rescue group. How has that inspired you as a suspense writer?

Eve: The best stories come from true-life experiences. I've been an active member in SAR for close to 15 years now. The fear I see in a mother's eyes as her little 10-year-old boy is lost in the mountains is just heart-wrenching. To think someone may be responsible for him being lost terrifies me. I take all the bad I've seen over the years and I put those qualities in my villains. I take all the good and put those qualities in my hero/heroine. I can't tell you how therapeutic it is to kill someone off in a book after they've done something terrible. And don't think all my villains are make believe! Trust knowing there is a piece of someone real in every villain, which makes killing them off even more satisfying!

Emma: After a visit to your website http://www.alliekadams.com/, I saw you’ve also written historical and paranormal romance. Are there any plans to publish any of them?

Eve: I may pull them out from under the bed and dust them off, but not unless I see a shift in the market. Right now historicals aren't selling as well as contemporary, and paranormals are on the decline. Trust me, if there is a demand for those stories, you will definitely see them published.

Emma: What are you working on now?

Eve: I have a ménage series with a paranormal flavor coming out this year. Gideon's Ring is a series about a man trapped in a ring by a witch many centuries ago after he broke her heart. He is now destined to be "on call" to whomever wears the ring, to find them their soulmate. Once he succeeds, it's back into the ring for him until he is conjured up again. This is a...ahem...hand's on sort of search. When Gideon finds the woman's true love, he joins them in bed until he is certain the man can perform exactly as the woman wants. That is his curse—finding true love for everyone else, getting a taste of love, and then being sent back to the loneliness of the ring. But don't cry for Gideon. Not only does he get to be involved in some serious loving in the stories, he gets a special "something" in the last book. That's all I'm going to say!

Emma: Sounds tantalizing! Can't wait! Thank you for your time Eve and good luck with your future books!

Eve: Thank you SO MUCH, Emma (which, by the way, is the name of one of my heroines in the Gideon's Ring series). I really appreciate you taking the time to help me celebrate my newest release, UNDER THE COVERS. I'm really looking forward to writing the next in the series, BETWEEN THE COVERS. If anyone would like to contact me, please visit my website. I love hearing from readers!

Emma: In honor of Eve's new release and the delivery of a bunch of promo items for my upcoming release, His Ship, Her Fantasy, I've decided to host a little game. First, visit Eve's website and come back here to post a comment on any of her other books. Second, help me with my author interviews by letting me know what you would like to learn about your favorite authors. I'll let Eve pick a winner tomorrow. The lucky person will have her choice of any of my promo items: magnets, calendars, magnet calendars, t-shirt, hat, or key chain. Thanks for playing!

Interview with Skhye Moncrief, Author of He of the Fiery Sword

Emma: Today, I am featuring an interview with author Skhye Moncrief on her Time Guardian novel He of the Fiery Sword currently available from The Wild Rose Press.

Blurb:

He, Arthur, is a reflection of luck, an abomination. He can feel the love, the pain, the sorrow, and the joy of all the ages. If he doesn't save the Druid he is sent to find, all known history could change. Some things are worth dying for. But first a man must live.

Arthur didn't count on becoming human. And now the fairies want him to break dragon law... He never expected his charge to push him to the edge of reason. But a man must live before becoming king.

Fear not. The fairies have a plan.

Trust not the fairies.

Druids wed one soul for eternity to protect the integrity of the timeline. Druid Solas’s soul mate was taken from her. Now, an 11th Century Irish bishop stalks her to serve as his mistress. She has nothing left yet everything to live for in creating the historical maps she was sent through time to make. She will break time-travel Code if she submits to another man by allowing even one paradoxical child to muddy history. Then Arthur arrives to save her. He is anything but a time guardian. And a fairy tells her to help him. To ignore a god’s instruction could prove detrimental. Yet, every time guardian knows believing the Gods is wielding a double-edged sword. Since it is forbidden for Druids to wield weapons, her future relies on He of the Fiery Sword.

Emma: Welcome Skhye! First, let me say, I’m addicted to the Time Guardians. Anyone with any interest in mythology should find this series riveting.

Skhye: Thank you.

Emma: I’m sure a lot of readers wonder where authors get their inspiration. The blurb hints at the King Arthur of legend. What a tease! I’m more interested in knowing if you know that “He of the Fiery Sword” is a tarot card. If so, I don’t think you could have found a better representation of Arthur…noble, brave, and honest. (Well, as honest as he can be with the stringent requirements of The Code.)

Skhye: That’s where I found the book title, in Brian Froud’s deck.

Emma: Your work is very complex. You take great care with culture and weaving in details that draw the reader deeper into the world. I feel you hide little truths in your work as well that invite the reader to engage in a little philosophizing. Is this important to you as a writer?

Skhye: Oh, yes. It’s what makes writing fun. The hardest part for me in writing is not sounding like a stuffy anthropologist.

Emma: I would never label you as a stuffy anthropologist. I’m amazed at the amount of emotion you convey, especially with Arthur, and the imagery is beautiful in the work is beautiful. Are you also an aspiring poet or do you like your writing to have a certain lyrical rhythm?

Skhye: Me, a poet? Gadz no. When you step into your character’s shoes, you must phrase things the way the character would. Or you really aren’t in your character’s POV. ;) Then again, my critique partner says I’m channeling something. But what do I know? I’m a boring scientist.

Emma: Boring definitely does not describe you! Skhye has other works available to include The Spell of the Killing Moon, Naked on the Staircase, Ancient Musings [Song of the Muses], Vow of Superstition: Dragon’s Blood, and Sacrificial Hearts also available through The Wild Rose Press. Wow! I need to take a deep breath after all that. Did I miss anything, Skhye? Which one do you recommend I read next?

Skhye: LOL, I would like to warn you Arthur is very deep because of what he is. The other Time Guardian tales are lighter and more mainstream. If you’re looking for psychic vampires, read Naked on the Staircase. If you’d prefer burning wicker men, read Sacrificial Hearts (lots of double entendre in that imagery). Or do you fancy a female were-assassin? Read The Spell of the Killing Moon.

Emma: Well, I don’t want to keep you too much longer, but I have to ask what we get to look forward to next.

Skhye: Another Time Guardian novel will be available April 3^rd… Forbidden Eternity. The hero is a Native-American shaman. And I think it’s the zaniest of the stories. Or should I use the word “strangest” just to be clear?

Emma: Thanks so much for dropping by. Good luck on your future works!

Skhye: Thanks so much for the interview. I can’t wait to read your story! Skhye

The Lemonade Award

On Friday, Helen Hardt honored me with the "When the Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonades" Award. This award is for bloggers with good attitude or gratitude. Thank you very much, Helen!

My job is to now 1) Link back to the person you received the award from and 2) Nominate 10 bloggers who are deserving of this award.


My 10 nominees are...

1) Elaine Cantrell for always posting the most heart touching things
2) Skyhe Moncrief for posting loads of informative research information
3) Catherine Bybee for the best video blogs
4) The Three Wicked Writers for some of the most entertaining blogs
5) MamaWriters Community for great support
6) Jennifer Johnson for great music to accompany an awesome picture of Johnny Depp
7) Helen Hardt for the great eye candy (And I don't care if she's already received the award)
8) Cactus Rose of The Wild Rose Press for great American history
9) Petit Fours and Hot Tamales for an eclectic mix of information
10) Happy Endings for blogging about things I never would have thought of

Interview with Helen Hardt, author of Seduced in Seoul

Emma: Happy Valentine’s Day! Today, I am featuring an interview with Helen Hardt, author of the short story Seduced in Seoul a former Scarlet Rose bestseller at The Wilder Rose Press (18 and older only please).

Welcome Helen! First, let me say that this story was HOT! Definitely a spicy read for Valentine’s Day!

Helen: I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Emma, and thanks so much for having me today. The timing is great, actually, because I have a rose petal (free read) posted at www.wilderroses.com, which is a companion story to Seduced in Seoul. And its theme is Valentine’s Day.

Emma: I know you traveled to Seoul with your taekwondo master a couple years ago. What did you think of the city? My husband has traveled there a couple of times, and we give you points for capturing the hustle and bustle of the city. (Yes, I said we. There’s nothing wrong with sharing spicy stories with your significant other. In fact, if you haven’t before, you might want to try it out this Valentine’s Day.)

Helen: Absolutely, there’s nothing wrong with sharing a spicy story with your partner. My husband was the first person to read Seduced in Seoul, and he loved it!

I had a lot of fun in Korea. It’s so rich in culture. The descriptions in Seduced in Seoul are accurate. The traffic is ridiculous, and unfortunately, the city is quite polluted. The food was excellent. So fresh and delicious. I never knew there were so many different kinds of kimchi! Here, we usually only find the type made from Napa cabbage, which, I have to admit, is still my favorite. But radish kimchi and cucumber kimchi are also quite good. We ate bulgogi, much like the meal Dylan cooks for Allison in SIS, and it was wonderful. I’ve made it at home several times since then. We attended and participated in a taekwondo demonstration and tournament, visited museums, temples, and a fun indoor amusement park. We also spent a few days on Jeju Island, which is a tropical paradise. Unfortunately, it rained the whole time!

Emma: I like to check out the reviews. You received some criticism for things maybe coming off as a little over the top. First, let me say that the whole joy of reading for me is being able to put myself in the characters places and experience things that might be out of my normal comfort zone. So, I didn’t personally have a problem with any of the scenes. How do you deal with criticism? Does your experience as a freelance editor help?

Helen: Ah, I know exactly which review you’re referring to. Luckily, the rest of them were great. But that one stung a little. After I got over the initial shock, I realized that the overall tone of the review was positive. As writers, we’ve chosen a field fraught with subjectivity. I did what was right for this particular story, and truthfully, if I had the chance to do it over, I wouldn’t write it any differently. It is erotic romance, after all, and what worked for Alli and Dylan’s story may not work for my next story. Each set of characters is unique. Still, criticism is hard. Writers have notoriously thin skin. As a freelance editor, I’m on the other side of the fence. Sometimes a story has no inherent flaws, but just doesn’t strike my fancy. This is normal. So yes, I think that gives me a different perspective.

Emma: I checked out your website http://www.helenhardt.com/. We like some of the same English historical romance authors. Do you plan on writing any historical romances set in England?

Helen: I already have! I have one completed early Victorian historical, and one nearly complete. However, these were my two first attempts at romance, so they’re still not ready for submission. As you no doubt know, writers continually work to improve their craft. I have high hopes that I will one day have the time to go back and make these stories shine.

Emma: I’m going to admit that I did a brief stint in law school before deciding it wasn’t for me, but that’s another story. Did you ever practice law?

Helen: I did, but only for about two years. I stopped working outside the home when I had children. My boys are 13 and 16 now. About two years ago, I decided to get serious about my writing, which has always been my dream. I have no plans to go back to the law.

Emma: I’ve got a young adult sci-fi/fantasy manuscript myself. Do you have any plans to publish yours?

Helen: I’m not sure. Right now, I’m in love with writing romance, and would rather work on that than try to revise the young adult fantasy manuscript. But never say never!

Emma: What are you working on now?

Helen: What am I not working on? LOL. I’ve been swamped lately. I have two more short stories coming to the Destination Pleasure series (SIS is part of this series) at The Wild Rose Press: Passion in Paris and Thai’d Up. Passion in Paris should be available sometime in April, and Thai’d Up this summer.

I have a dark paranormal romance coming to the Black Rose line. Blood Wolf is a short novel that won the Got Wolf? Contest sponsored by The Wild Rose Press.

My western historical novella, The Outlaw’s Angel, part of an anthology called Lawmen and Outlaws, is coming in June to the Cactus Rose line of The Wild Rose Press.

I have several novellas in the works, as well as a series of contemporary western romance novels. I write across several genres – contemporary, historical, paranormal, and erotic romance. I don’t have too many submissions out right now--only a few that have been requested. Submitting is my least favorite part of the process. But I’m determined to get my work out there this year. We can’t get published if we don’t submit!

Emma: Thank you for your time, Helen, and good luck with your future books!

Helen: Thank you for having me!