Special Note: Contest informaiton is at the end of the interview.
What is a typical day like for you? A typical day includes a bit of writing, research and homework for grad school. Work at present is writing romance stories. I'm sort of married to my computer and live online for both school and work. Writing has become a secondary career for me for the past couple of years now while I've been in graduate school. I love it, and it’s a great creative outlet for me, an escape of sorts from school and clinical therapy and textbooks. I love that I can feel so passionate and inspired about writing hot romantic stories in addition to helping people in other ways.
How long have you been writing? And have you always wanted to be a writer? Since I was in my teens, when I wrote my first romance novel at the age of 15. But professionally, I’ve been writing since I began my college education back in 1997 for social work. Now, I write a lot for graduate school and most of what I write is clinical and related to therapy and counseling. Some part of me needs an occasional break from that intensity.
So, for personal enjoyment, I’ve been writing steadily for the past 2 years in the m/m romance genre, and I really love it. I didn’t start writing seriously until two years ago when I became inspired by some people I met in the gay community that made me crave writing fictional romance again. And I absolutely adore a good story with a happily-ever-after ending. It totally does my heart good to believe in love and happy endings.
Who or what influenced your writing over the years? I grew up reading and adoring great romance authors such as Jude Deveraux, Janet Daily, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, and Sidney Sheldon. They were my favorites of the romance genre who captured my imagination and took me on romantic journeys to far-away places. I always wanted to write the way they did. They really inspired me, in style, concept, and originality.
To date, what has been the best advice or words of encouragement you've received? They were from published author Sue Brown. She’s a wonderful close friend of mine. Sue told me almost a year ago that she knew I could do this (become published), and to not listen to the negativity that might come my way. She told me she believed in me, that my stories were good, and to go for it. She promised me she’d be right there for me, cheering me on all the way. I listened, and haven’t looked back since. And she was right. For her encouragement and belief in me, I will always be grateful. I probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her.
What are three things about you that would surprise your fans? I’d have to say that I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and honest to a fault. Also, I’ve never been married and don’t have any kids at the age of 43. And besides that, I’d have to say that even though I’ve always loved to write, and was encouraged by professors in college to pursue writing as a career, I never once seriously thought about pursuing writing professionally until I met Sue Brown a year ago. I was writing fan fiction for fun and that’s when Sue stumbled across my stories. She started leading the brigade almost from the get-go to encourage me to pursue becoming published because she thought my writing was good enough to merit it.
What do you love and hate most about writing? I love the free license to be creative, and to bring to life with words the visions and stories which unfold in my head. I love communicating that world to my readers, where those who read my stories can escape somewhere else for a little while. As far as what I hate about it, I don't really hate anything about the writing process. It’s all very interesting and fascinating to me, and comes easily to me, which is a gift in itself.
Perhaps the one thing I dislike the most is an equal weight shared between those times when I get writers block and can't move forward in a story until I solve some issue or dilemma; and then too, I dislike the editing process. I don't think there's a writer alive that enjoys editing his or her work. But one learns from the editing process how to be a better, more focused and capable writer. So even with the downside of editing, there’s some definite good that comes from doing it.
What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general? I think developing a strong plot with great, passionate energy and chemistry that flows effortlessly between the two main characters is essential. Sometimes it’s a challenge. But when those elements come together and work right, the result is magic and it’s what I always strive to create.
What is your greatest strength as a writer? I study human behavior and have a great deal of insight into how the human heart and mind work. That gives me the ability to develop and write great depth of character in the characters in my books. In addition, I’ve had a lifetime of experience, some of which has been emotional and hard. It’s much more difficult to write about something, a feeling, an emotion, a sensation, an event, if you’ve never been through it yourself. It makes writing more effortless when you’re telling a story about something you have strong personal feelings attached to, because you understand it. I think that makes my writing better, filled with more depth of feeling and emotion.
Tell me about your ideal man for the main character in your books. For most of my stories, there is a common theme which tends to reoccur. My main male character is always tall, lean, beautifully sculpted in the physical sense, but not muscle-bound, and has jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes. There are several famous men in real life which I identify with, which all have those similar characteristics.
In addition to physical looks and a strong, very dominant, alpha-male presence, my main character is always someone who has a great capacity to love his partner, is noble and honest, and at the heart, a very good man. He's someone I'd want to have in my own life personified through my stories, if I ever found the man of my dreams. He's someone that's not perfect, has a tendency to react in anger, but is willing to apologize for his mistakes.
That to me, is an ideal man: someone who behaves realistically, and with real emotion. And of course, he's always a very passionate man, sure of himself, what he wants, and is a capable, tender, yet intense lover. I think many of us are searching for just that man or that partner in our own lives. So, until I, and all my readers find him or her, I'll write stories about someone that resembles what I believe our collective hearts are searching for.
How do you name your characters?
That’s a great question. It’s interesting too, because it involves quite the mental process to put names to my characters. Once I’ve envisioned a story line and created my plot, and my characters come to life, I look at them in my mind’s eye, see their faces, take into account what they look like, their overall dispositions, natures, and temperaments, and a name will usually come to me. It’s like the name chooses the character, if that makes any sense, based on the aforementioned components.
Sometimes I have to play with several names until the name “feels right” to me. Once I know the name matches the character in the story, it’s a done deal and he or she becomes quite real to me in my imagination. It’s how I’m able to put so much realness into the personas of each male or female character I write about, because they’re real people to me, with real feelings and needs. Their story lives … and is written and told . . . through me.
What is it about the M/M genre of romance that makes you enjoy writing it? I love romance. At the heart of everything, I love a great romantic tale full of twists and turns that centers around two main characters who must navigate the waters of love to find their way together. Beyond that, I think beautiful gay boys are extremely hot and appealing. They’re interesting together, not the same as normal hetero couples such as we’re accustomed to reading about in romance books. I love telling stories about them and that’s what keeps bringing me back to the genre; that, and the desire to tell engaging stories that draw the reader in and keeps them coming back for more.
Knowing my readers are satisfied and emotionally filled at the conclusion of reading something I’ve written is the main reason I write. It’s important to me that my audience comes away feeling like the world is a good place, with hope, love, warmth, and promise, and that happiness is attainable for each and every one of us.
Tell us about your current news and latest projects? I’m celebrating my first book release for A Wicked Encounter released through Silver Publishing on April 2nd. As of June 10th, it’s now also available in Paperback format on Silver’s website, and will eventually be found at Barnes & Noble and other booksellers and retailers. It’s an honor to have my book selected for paper print, considering it is my first published work.
A Wicked Encounter is a m/m erotic Regency-historical romance. You can find it on Silver’s website, Amazon.com, and other well-known romance eBook sites. It was released April 1st and is doing well. I’m very pleased with the reviews thus far.
In addition to that, I’m under contract for two new books. The first is a novel with Rebel Ink Press. It’s due out on or before Sept. 1st, and is entitled Haunted by Obsession. It’s a contemporary, m/m paranormal erotic ghost story and murder mystery. I’ve always loved nostalgic old ghost stories, and just had to write one with a hot, m/m twist on it. I’ve included an excerpt from this upcoming novel a little later in the interview so you can get a taste of what’s to come.
The other project I’m really honored and excited to be working on is the anthology entitled Chasing The Dream. This will be published through my first house, Silver Publishing, and is a joint project with several other amazing writers. This book will include short stories from Sue Brown, Patricia Logan, Lisa Worrall, GA Hauser, and me. The five of us have contracted with Silver to write a m/m short story of some sort following the theme of the title. I can’t wait to see how readers like this new book.
The scheduled release date for our full length novel of compiled stories will be Sept. 17th this fall. That book will be available in both eBook and print formats, giving me two paperback books in print. I’m so excited to be part of this project and cannot wait to hold the finished product in my hands. So, in regards to both books, as well as several other writing projects submitted for consideration which I’m waiting to hear back on, things are happening quickly. I’ll keep you updated as they progress.
Can you share a little of your current work with us? Absolutely! Here are the blurbs from both of my books and also a short chapter excerpt from each one to give you a taste of my writing.
Official cover blurb for A Wicked Encounter: It’s a Regency-style historical that is a m/m erotic romance and is set near Devonshire, England, in the year 1792:
Christopher Allwyne, Duke of Bellwood, stood to inherit a vast fortune. Still reeling from the loss of his parents and most recently, his Aunt Polly, the Duchess of Bellwood, the young noble found himself traveling in the dark of night to oversee Her Grace's funeral proceedings and to attend the reading of his aunt's will. Along the way, his carriage suffers a devastating accident, and a dark stranger comes to his aid and rescue. The Marquis Evan de Lombard, rich French nobleman, takes an instant interest in the handsome Christopher. Sharing a wicked encounter shortly after meeting, things look promising as love blooms between them. That is, until the Marquis reveals his true identity and purpose.
Once Christopher knows the truth, will he ever be able to forgive Evan and love him, despite the man's indiscretions? Torn apart by dishonesty, can love win out over betrayal and rise to the occasion, reuniting them for a lifetime of happiness? The cost for true love could be a price neither one is willing to pay.
Excerpt from Chapter 1 of A Wicked Encounter:
“Christopher, Your Grace? I’m pleased to make your acquaintance,” the Marquis de Lombard said with a question in his voice. “Perhaps we can talk more later, and you can tell me all about yourself then. But for now, ‘tis probably best if we find some shelter for the night. Are you from this area?” His eyes flickered over the general locale.
“My aunt’s castle is somewhere near here, but since I don’t know exactly where ‘here’ is, I’m not sure how far away we actually are,” Chris replied. It drew raised eyebrows from the other man, but the Marquis only nodded in response.
“I believe we passed a small inn several miles back. If you don’t mind, perhaps we might find lodging there, Your Grace,” de Lombard said, indicating the way they’d come. “We need to tend to that cut on your forehead. It looks deep.”
Chris nodded and began to climb down from the coach. Mid-step, a wave of dizziness afflicted him and he stumbled. His rescuer caught him by the arm to keep him from falling to the ground, his blue eyes wide with worry.
“Here, let me.” De Lombard climbed down behind Chris and supported his body’s weight securely. The man’s lean frame, pressed firmly against Chris’s backside, was warm and solid, and he smelled like leather and warm male spice. The sensation was pleasant, perhaps more than pleasant, the contact stirring unfamiliar yearnings inside Chris. Strong arms supported him as the Marquis eased them both down gently, until they stood on solid, albeit wet and muddy, ground.
“Thank you. You’re most kind,” whispered Chris, shaken from more than just his near fall. He watched as the tall man hoisted himself back up to grab his leather carryall, then gracefully land on his feet as he jumped back down beside Chris. The man took hold of his elbow and urged him toward a grand carriage that stood off to the side of the road.
A richly cloaked driver hurried to open the door for his master. Chris climbed inside. A small lantern hanging from the center of the ceiling cast a low but cheerful glow on rich velvet upholstery and heavily carved woodwork. The inside smelled just like the man himself, sweet and spicy, of fine wood and heavy, tanned leather. The scent was pungent and filled Chris’s nostrils like a drug. He sank into the soft cushioned bench and curled in on himself, closing his eyes for a moment. The Marquis joined him, after speaking quickly in French to his driver and giving explicit instructions on where he was to take them. The man nodded his compliance. “Oui, Monsieur. Absolutement,” he answered, then folded up the coach stairs and shut the door.
A moment later, the coach lurched forward, the four black stallions glistening in the steady downpour as their powerful muscles contracted and began the task of pulling the carriage back down the road the way they’d come. The nobleman focused his eyes intently on Chris, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“You should rest. Close your eyes, Christopher. We’ll be to the inn in a matter of minutes,” he said reassuringly. Chris didn’t argue. He was already too tired to complain or contradict and his head was beginning to throb horribly. He leaned back and drew his damp coat tighter about himself, closing his eyes. The sound of steady horses’ hooves lulled him swiftly away, and he slept.
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Here’s the official cover blurb for Haunted by Obsession, to be released by Rebel Ink Press on or before Sept. 1st. This story is a contemporary, m/m paranormal erotic ghost story and murder mystery, very different from my first book:
Aaron Michaels and Kurt Freeman-Michaels are musical celebrities. An openly gay couple living their dreams, the boys just celebrated their first year of wedded bliss. Feeling the need to escape and spend some time alone for a change, Aaron and Kurt take an impromptu trip up the coast of California. While they're away, the pair happens upon an elegant Victorian mansion that draws them both in. After falling in love with the property, an unexpected turn of events occurs which makes it possible for the boys to buy the house.
Gordon Inn has stood magnificent beside the ocean for the past 127 years, yet the house hides a dark secret within its walls. Rumors of an illicit affair and a century-old murder color the Inn's unique and troubled past.
Aaron and Kurt quickly learn there's more to the history of Gordon Inn than meets the eye. But many questions remain. Will the couple's lives be torn apart before they find the answers they seek? Who will come to their aid when they're left alone inside the solitude of their ancient home? And, will the boys be able to solve the mystery before more lives are lost?
This is a short unedited excerpt from Chapter 2 of Haunted by Obsession, to give you a taste of what’s to come:
The end of August rolled around, and Kurt came home from tour on the twenty-third. Aaron arrived the following week, and soon Labor Day was approaching. Reunited after two months and only the occasional brief night together, they spent their Friday night before the holiday lounging in bed, working their way through a pitcher of margaritas and having animalistic sex.
Separated for too long made them both hot and horny. Unable to keep their hands off one another, Aaron had Kurt laid out on his back, ass up, legs in the air, pounding into him till he was too sore to sit down. They fucked like bunnies for the better part of the evening. Whoever said being married made sex grow boring after awhile, never met these two. They could go for hours, and still had energy for more. It only seemed to get better the more they practiced at perfecting their technique.
The next morning, their physical lusts having been satiated, they rose early with anticipation and each packed a weekend bag. They climbed into Aaron’s black convertible Mustang and hit the road, hauling ass up north to see the finished product. They were so pumped full of adrenalin, they could think of little else. They both had an intense desire to be there, to see the house and just experience the aura of what was now their own residence.
For the first time ever, they were actually going home to the very first house they’d bought together as a married couple. It was their home, and there was much to celebrate. It felt like sweet success.
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**AS A SPECIAL TREAT FOR READERS:
Anyone who leaves a COMMENT BELOW, along with their email address, will be ENTERED into a DRAWING for a FREE, AUTOGRAPHED PAPERBACK COPY of my novel, A WICKED ENCOUNTER. The winner will be contacted via email within 48 hours following the conclusion of this interview post. Be sure to comment and Enter to Win! Good luck!!
Finally, is there a special message in your stories that you want readers to grasp? Perhaps more than anything else, no matter who you are or what your station in life, I want people to know that true love is out there and attainable for all people. Being a hopeful romantic at heart who is still looking for her own true love, I believe that love is real, that it exists, and that it’s possible for each one of us to have the love we desire and deserve within our own lives.
This has been awesome. Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I’ve really enjoyed being here and sharing more about myself and my passion for writing with you and your readers. I hope you’ll all check out my current and future written work.
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If you’d like to purchase your own copy of A Wicked Encounter, click here:
You can find Sammy Jo Hunt at the following websites:
Personal Website and Blog address: http://sammyjohunt.livejournal.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SammyJo_Hunt
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