Thank you for joining us on the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour. It's nice to be here.
Of all of your wonderful novels, which has been the easiest to write?
Lying Eyes
Why?
I’ve spent a lot of time in casinos so I can write from personal experience. With Lying Eyes, I wrote the kind of book I’d want to read—with plenty of poker and romance—plus I love the hero, Max. He was created from a very vivid imagination and inspired by someone I know well.
Which book was the most difficult to write and why?
Winning Virgin Devotion was the most difficult to write. There were too many paranormal creatures ‘talking to me’ all at one time.
What’s one day in the life of Destiny Blaine like?
I have an office down the street now so by the time I make it there, it’s generally 9:00. The day is always full of writing, edits, answering email, preparing promo, working on advertising campaigns, and reviewing contracts. I try to wind it down by 7:00 or 8:00 in the evening but that’s not always possible, especially right now when I have so much already sold for 2011.
Did you have a hard time when you first started sending out your manuscripts for publication?
No, but the rules didn’t apply to me then, thank goodness. I began as a ghost writer so I didn’t have to wait by the in-box or phone for an acceptance or rejection—someone else did that prior to hiring me. However, those rejections eventually found their place in my in-box just like they find their place in every writer’s mailbox. I just didn’t experience them in the beginning, which was nice.
Do you have a favorite couple, character from your books?
Writing as Destiny Blaine—Gabriel and Constance from the Winning Virgin books remain a favorite but Kane and Peyton are my all-time favorite couple from Sex Party (writing as Natalie Acres).
Are you your worst critic?
Absolutely. I’m not in competition with anyone except maybe myself. I don’t care what Joe Blow down the street is selling, writing, or achieving. I wish him well. However, I’m vested in what I’m writing, how it’s selling, and how well it outsold what I released last. That’s just me.
All authors compete for those top spots on best selling lists. I’ve been there. I’ve achieved that and hope to see my name there again, but I’m not focused on best selling lists now. I’m focused on becoming a better writer, writing tighter stories, delivering what my readers want and expect, and achieving other goals. There’s more to life than hitting the best seller lists and thanks to my readers, I’ve been there more than I ever expected. My main career focus is writing my next book and working on a few other writing projects. That’s all.
Who do you consider the perfect writer?
I don’t know a perfect writer. Every writer possesses flaws. None of us are perfect. We’re all writers on a journey. We’re writers in progress. I guess the ‘perfect’ writer is the writer who knows he or she isn’t the greatest writer of all time and even if he or she is pretty damn close, they recognize there’s always room for improvement.
Do you still get a thrill when you see your book being published on bookstore shelves?
I don’t think so. That part is gone. I don’t enjoy my job any less but I’m not biting nails until my e-book is released or another print book hits the shelves. Then again, I’ve been fortunate and with about two new book releases a month, under one pen name or another, there’s not a lot of time to celebrate. There’s always another book to write.
A Sneak Peek into Cowboys For Christmas
Available at Aspen Mountain Press December 16th, 2010
Julie Kensworth opens her door to more than a blizzard and greets two wayward cowboys. She realizes right away she’s headed straight for the eye of the storm.
Brandon Blake and Quinn Stewart are a long way from home. They’re looking for a warm place to hang their hats while they try to wait out the snow and ice, which continues to gain momentum.
Julie is an author and she’s not just the average writer, she’s one of the most notorious writers in the world. When Quinn and Blake figure out Julie is an erotic romance author, well, needless to say, their minds churn with all sorts of ideas, most of them geared toward how they can heat up the cold winter nights ahead.
Sneak Peek Excerpt:
“I don’t know why you’re pouting,” Brandon spat a few minutes later, noticing Quinn’s frown. “She didn’t tell us to hit the road. She just told us to wait out here until she dressed.”
“I guess I was hoping for an explicit expression of gratitude.”
Brandon pointed toward the mantle. “Don’t forget. She probably has a boyfriend.”
“The boyfriend isn’t what I’ve been thinking about. What I’m wondering is why she has so many of those Carla Carrington books.”
Julie strolled into the kitchen like a breath of fresh air. She lit up the place with an easy smile and a refreshing stroke of confidence. “Carla Carrington is my pseudonym.”
“Do huh?” Brandon asked, chin dropping.
“Your pseudonym?” Quinn asked for clarification.
“Yeah,” Julie said. “I’m a writer.”
Brandon felt like something was stuck in his chest. She wasn’t just a writer. She was the best selling, award-winning author of scorching hot books often made into explicit after-dark television movies. He’d never admit the truth, but he’d watched a few of those movies. Carla Carrington’s name had been on the lips of quite a few talk show hosts who openly criticized the demise of morals in today’s world. Carla wrote the kind of books that Brandon wouldn’t have let his daughter read—assuming he had a daughter, which he didn’t. On the other hand, if he had a wife, Carla’s books would’ve been mandatory reading.
“You said you’re a writer.” Brandon cleared his throat. “But Carla Carrington is—”
“I’m Carla,” she interrupted. “I write under a couple of pseudonyms.”
Quinn looked around the small cottage. He was probably thinking the same thing Brandon was. Why did she live in such a small house? Wouldn’t Carla Carrington reside in an oceanfront mansion with a full crew doting on her, bringing her chocolate-covered mints and arranging social events?
The woman behind the world’s most scandalous writing should not have been dressed in hide-tight blue jeans with a low-cut fitted sweater and her hair tossed up in a clumsy ponytail. A woman writing explicit scenes like the one Brandon had read earlier should not have looked like an adorable barely legal girl!
Brandon shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-six, why?”
“Just curious. That’s all.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Quinn blurted out.
Way to fucking go! Brandon set his jaw. As he watched the color drain from Julie’s cheeks, he shot Quinn a cold stare. “You can quit foaming at the mouth any time now.”
Quinn didn’t say anything. Brandon braced for fighting words, maybe even a good swift kick in the ass.
What the hell! Quinn started this. “Do you have a boyfriend?” Brandon would die right there if she said she had a husband.
“No, I do not.” She marched across the kitchen, opened the pantry and retrieved two jars of her homemade soup, setting the large containers on the small island in the kitchen’s center. “Anyone hungry?”
Brandon grinned, staring at her ass. “Honey, I’m practically starving.”
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