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What can you tell us about your new release, Ruthless Love?

This is my first romance novel (my first novel ever! Although I have written short stories and a few novellas) and so I've been super nervous and excited about it. I've been so lucky with great writing group cheering me on and excellent feedback and a wonderful cover designed by a friend! Underneath the surface, the story is really about confusion and mistaken identities and assumptions that we make. I had great fun writing it and I really hope that people enjoy reading it!

What's the last book you read?

Well, I've been reading a bunch of erotic romance novellas for, um, research purposes. Seriously, it's a great way to get a feel for what works and what doesn't. However, I'm not sure I want to name them in public! Before that I read The Girl on the Train which I enjoyed although it's not my normal kind of book.

Who is your favorite couple from literature?

Catherine and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. So much drama and obsession and yet so unable to understand each other. Scarlett and Rhett are a close second. Hey, I have a type! I'd never noticed that before.

What's a typical day like for you?

I work from home as a copy-writer, so things vary a lot depending on how many projects I have going on. I try to spend an hour on fiction first thing, while my brain is still fresh. Then I do work writing and admin until the late afternoon. Most days I'll walk 10,000 steps which I often combine with food shopping. I rarely write in the evenings. Although I don't think of myself as a morning person, I definitely write better before lunch. Often I'll take that time to read or to chat online and catch up on social media. I love to cook, so I can usually be found in the kitchen with a wooden spoon in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

None of this is anywhere near as important as it seems like it is right now. Relax and have some fun.

BAM. You're a superhero. What's your superpower?

Time control. Speed it up at the dentist, slow it down when deadlines are approaching. But probably I shouldn't be allowed to pause time because I'd just use it to selfishly read and write twice as much.

What scene in Ruthless Love was your favorite to write?

The restaurant scene. Jordan's taken Charlotte to a super nice restaurant to impress her when really, what she'd been hoping for was the local burger joint. Both of their expectactions were totally out of whack and although they both really got into each other despite all the problems, I knew in the end, Jordan was going to blow it. It was a lot of fun to write.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

"If you want to achieve greatness, stop asking for permission."

It's from street art by Eddie Colla and it reminds me to seize the moment. I have to work hard not always put everyone else first.

Demi Damson is the author of the new book Ruthless Love. 

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What can you tell us about your new release, SEAL'd Heart?

What's on your writing desk?

A framed photo of my husband and a framed photo of a dog I had when I was a child. Often, a coffee mug half full of cold sludge. A notepad with lots of my story idea scribbling.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

Everything! But if I have to choose just one thing… the time I spend plotting in my head. That’s when the characters really start speaking to me.

If you could invent anything, what would it be

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

Writing, of course!

What scene in SEAL'd Heart was your favorite to write?

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. This strikes such a chord in me. I wish I knew who coined it.

Alice Ward is the author of the new book SEAL'd Heart. 

Connect with Alice:
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What can you tell us about your new release, Hard Stick?

I love Hard Stick, especially the hockey players. In my mind, I totally feel like they're real people. Hard Stick is a sexy, romantic suspense. It doesn't center around hockey the entire book. I wanted to throw in other elements. What I love most about the story is the connection between Kellan and Kristen, and also the connections they have with their friends. The bantering back and forth between the hockey players was fun to write. As far as the book, I love adding in the suspense factor. Kellan has been interested in Kristen for a while now, but she steers clear from men after she escaped from her psychotic ex. Kellan proves to be a man she can trust with not only her heart and soul, but her body as well. However, when her past comes back to haunt her, Kellan risks everything to keep her safe. Hard Stick isn't light and fluffy, it's sexy, action-packed and down right dirty.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I've always been a big reader. I used to only read books by traditional authors, but then I discovered indie authors. I had no clue what an indie author was at the time, but I read a few books by one of my favorites, Quinn Loftis. Needless to say, I fell in love with her books and stalked her on Facebook. I befriended her and about died when she took the time to reply back to my messages. After that, I discovered new authors and became friends with them as well. For years, I wanted to write a book, but I always thought it was impossible. Quinn gave me the push I needed to get started. Now, she's one of my good friends and I'm still astounded to this day.

If you were a teacher, what book would you assign your class?

Anne of Green Gables. It's one of my favorites

What's your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing is being able to live in a different world for a while. When I'm writing, I can see those characters and imagine I'm right there with them. It's an escape from reality. Plus, I can do all the things in my books that I haven't been able to do in real life. My characters can travel the world and be whoever they want to be. Basically, I'm living vicariously through them and I love it.

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?

The answer to this question is simple, but it's also hard as well. I would have to say my grandmother. I'd give anything to see her again. She died before I began writing so she didn't get to see how much my life has changed. I used to confide in her about everything. I would've loved to see her face while she read passages in my books. She knew all of my deepest and darkest secrets. It'd be nice to have her back for even just a few minutes. The only problem would be having to say goodbye to her.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

Binge watching past episodes of the Game of Thrones. I've already watched them three times now. I'm OBSESSED with that show!

What scene in Hard Stick was your favorite to write?

Definitely the scene where Kristen finds out from Dallas that Kellan made a bet he could get her to go out with him. It's really funny. I love the banter between Kristen and Kellan after that.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Yes ... KEEP SMILING. Even when times are hard and things might not be going my way, I keep on smiling. I wasn't nicknamed Smiley all my life for nothing.

L. P. Dover is the author of the new book Hard Stick. 

Connect with L. P. Dover:
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What can you tell us about your new release, I Knew You Were Trouble?

It’s the final book in my bestselling Oxford series, but it can absolutely be enjoyed on its own! No need to read the preceding books. It’s a bit of a modern-day “star-crossed lovers” story. Despite getting off on the wrong foot, prickly Taylor and charming Nick are obviously meant for each other. They just can’t get their timing quite right. Until they become roommates

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

Ooh, awesome question! My reading list is pretty varied, so this list is as well. I sometimes think people want/hope I’ll give contemporary romance suggestions since that’s what I write, but to be honest, I don’t read much within my own genre!

Einstein, Walter Isaacson (best biography I’ve ever read, and I’ve read many!)

It Happened One Autumn, Lisa Kleypas (hands down, my favorite Regency!)

Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand (politically alienated, to be sure, but I give the ambitious protagonist a lot of credit for inspiring me to do more with my life!)

Perfect, Judith McNaught (a tiny bit dated now, but worth it for the sheer emotion she manages to evoke)

Harry Potter, JK Rowling (the whole series is just … I don’t have words for how fantastic it is)

The Great Gatbsy, F. Scott Fitzgerald (a little cliche, but I recently reread it and think it’s one of the most beautifully written works that exists today)

Who are your literary heroes working today? Why do you admire them?

Nora Roberts, for three reasons: she’s prolific, a truly fantastic storyteller, and she’s refreshingly zero-BS, and does things her own way.

Jo Rowling. She’s so good she gives me goose bumps.

What's on your writing desk?

Ha, well … I live in a small space in Manhattan, and my husband and I are pretty minimalist! We both work from home, and our work space is actually two fold-out tables that we bring out at 6am when we start the work day, and put away at 5pm when it’s time for cocktails. I keep it clutter free. Just my laptop, planner, water bottle, and a timer I use to reset each hour to keep myself on track.

What makes your world go round?

If I say wine, will you judge me?

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An author! I was an avid reader from a young age, and I thought it sounded like the best job in the world. I was right.

What scene in I Knew You Were Troube was your favorite to write?

I hardly ever say this, but the “resolution” scene in this one really got to me. (i.e., the scene when the hero/heroine overcome their differences and decide to live happily ever after). I can’t say much about it without giving away spoilers, but it was particularly emotional!

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

It changes quite a bit, depending on what part of my life needs a boost of motivation. Right now I’m really focusing on the simple concept of “Decide.” As in, to accomplish those things I want to accomplish in my life, I simply need to make the decision to start them, rather than the decision to do something else. Sounds simple, but it’s crazy how often we humans forget we have a choice!

Lauren Layne is the author of the new book I Knew You Were Trouble. 

Connect with Lauren:
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What can you tell us about your new release, More Than Need You?

More Than Need You is a reunion, second-chance romance about righting wrongs, forgiveness, and healing with that one soul mate who’s unforgettable. Like the first book in the More Than Words series, More Than Want You, this story is also told primarily from the hero’s point of view.

What's the last book you read?

I got an advance read of Meredith Wild and Chelle Bliss’s Misadventures of a City Girl. Sexy, fun, and fantastic!

What fictional literary world would you most like to visit?

That’s a tough choice. There are a lot of amazing fictional worlds. I doubt I’m alone in saying I’d love to visit Hogwarts and the amazing locales in the Harry Potter series. It sounds like the most fantastical place on earth!

What's a typical day like for you?

Honestly, there isn’t a typical day for me. That’s somewhat by design. I don’t like too much monotony, so I tend to shake things up when I’m able. I often start with some time at the gym. There’s always music no matter what I’m doing. I take care of odds and ends related to the business of writing, then I dive in to the actual production of words. I’m not much of a morning person these days, so I make

What's your favorite thing about writing?

The best part of writing is creating something that lives purely in my imagination, something I can see in my head so vividly and feel so deeply in my heart, THEN to capture all that, translate it into words, and share it with readers. I love the ability to make people I’ve never met feel what I feel. Impacting strangers and hearing that I’ve positively affected their lives is mind blowing.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

Reading, writing, or binge watching all Harry Potter movies for the umpteenth time.

What scene in More Than Need You was your favorite to write?

There’s never a single scene that is the most exciting to write for me. It’s usually the last major scene I’ve had the chance to craft. So right now, I loved the ending. But I also loved the beginning. I loved all the steps along the way to getting these two back together. Overall, I love the journey. I can’t pick a single scene. It doesn’t mean half as much without all the others.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I’m not much for echoing other people because I live a lot in my own head (and according to my husband, it’s scary, y’all!), but I have a lot of respect for what Walt Disney accomplished in his lifetime. His quotes convey a lot of wisdom, but here’s one of my favorites:

"The difference in winning and losing is most often not quitting."

I’m also fond of Mickey Rooney’s quote: “You always pass failure on your way to success.”

Shayla Black is the author of the new book More Than Need You  

Connect with Shayla:
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