What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Vixen?
Vixen (The Gamer’s Girlfriend series) is very much a passion project of mine. I knew that I wanted to write a contemporary meets regency romance, where the modern-day heroine daydreams about the commanding Duke of Maddern from her historical romance novel, but I dismissed it for months while plotting a different series. I read a lot of historicals, but I write contemporary and erotic romance, so I wasn’t sure if I would do it justice.
All I knew was that The Gamer’s Girlfriend series would somehow feature a restrictive upbringing, gaming, a disabled boyfriend, monster loving, and some very spicy scenes of sexual exploration. But I had no idea how these disparate concepts would meld together into a coherent story, let alone a series. It had been brewing in my head for a while, but I had planned to write something else instead. Thanks to hubs reminding me that as I was my own boss, I could do, and write, whatever the hell I liked, I figured I’d just take a risk, and pivot a little bit. After a ton of research and lots of editing, I wrote Virtue, Voyeur, and Vixen, and I am so happy that I did.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Vixen, what would they be?
Because I am a huge fan of 80s music, these would best sum up my characters: The Duke – Take On Me by A-ha Emmaline – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper Savannah – It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls Arcas – Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I write contemporary and erotic romance but read widely, like historical, paranormal, contemporary, monster. I honestly cannot pick one. As I’m a mood reader I can never usually pick a favorite so I’ve always got a few on the go at the same time.
When I’m not reading romance, it’ll be crime novels, autobiographies or self-help books!
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
The Never King by Nikki St Crowe and The Librarian and the Orc by Finley Fenn...and loaaads more.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Not to give too much away, but it was the moment when the hero seeks forgiveness for his past wrongdoing. That scene played out in my head from start to finish in one big rush. It was so powerful and emotional, and it just flew off the page when I was writing it.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
With two little kids, I write whenever, wherever I can. So often its when they’ve gone to bed, which is prime time for our cat, Hugo to plonk himself down on my lap for some cuddles. He doesn’t seem to mind being a makeshift laptop table either.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
“Keep pressing play”/ “Take the first step”/“Just a little bit”. There are loads of variations, but in essence, it’s my way of challenging the fear or uncertainty that I can feel from day to day. With my writing, instead of overthinking it, or worrying about how much I have to do, I open my laptop or notebook and just start immersing myself in the characters until all the other to-do lists in my head fade away. Some days are tougher than others but at least I tell myself that I’m forming a habit, and usually end up smashing out a few scenes. It’s reaaaaaally easy for me to talk myself out of doing things, so if I just turn up to that seminar or only exercise for those fifteen minutes, it’s better than nothing.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I hope readers finish one of my books and the gooey, warm, happy feeling stays with them for a while. That’s my aim in writing, to offer not only entertainment, but that lovely, satisfied sensation you get in your chest when the book you read is just magic.
Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.
