Reader’s Edyn

I always felt like I could do something more than just read. Finally, I have found both a creative outlet and a chance to do something meaningful with my reading. This blog was created in appreciation of and tribute to all of the authors who have brought me joy through their books. These reviews are my way of giving back to authors and providing recognition for the hard work that each one completes every day!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Interview with author Suzanne Rock

Ellora’s Cave Feature Month
Brought To You By
Reader’s Edyn


Interview with author Suzanne Rock

What’s up peeps? I am on a roll and we are continuing the Ellora’s Cave Feature Month again today! Yay!My normal reminder:  The author may have been previously published with EC or is currently published with EC. Either way you will be learning an awful lot about the Ellora’s Cave authors this month. I hope you will continue to join us for this exciting adventure! You are sure to find it very entertaining! So let’s get on with it!
My next EC author is  Suzanne Rock. Here is her bio from the EC website.

**BIO**

After over a decade in the scientific world, Suzanne needed a creative outlet. She tried scrapbooking, cooking, crocheting, painting and piano, none of which held her interest for very long. Then one of her friends suggested writing. Thrilled with the idea of creating her own worlds, she opened up her laptop and never looked back.

When Suzanne’s not writing, she can be found playing with her two daughters, testing her husband’s latest kitchen creations, or curled up with her favorite romance novel in her central Massachusetts home.


Please help me welcome:

**SUZANNE  ROCK**


**INTERVIEW**

How has your life changed since becoming published?
I spend a lot more time in front of the computer and drink a lot of coffee, lol.

LOL. I do that daily! Lord help me if I was a writer too! What is your typical day like?
I’m a stay at home mom. During the school year, I drop my oldest kid off at school and then do activities or run errands with the youngest kid. We come home for lunch and I spend a few hours writing. Then it’s off to pick up the oldest kid and take both children to all of their activities. Then my husband gets home. We have dinner and spend time as a family. After they go to bed I write for about three hours.

The glamorous life of an author, yes? Tell us a little about your current release UNHOLY CRAVINGS.
UNHOLY CRAVINGS is Book #2 in the Immortal Hungers Series. (Book #1 is UNHOLY PURSUITS). In this series, the portal between earth and hell are guarded by an ancient, mystical race, called the Iatros. These fairy-like creatures protect humans from the creatures of the underworld by preventing their passage to Earth. For years they have worked in secret, until a demon lord finds a way to neutralize their powers and strengthen his own. He uses this new-found magic to form a relic called the demon stone and uses it to gain access to Earth.

The Iatros are unable to fight the strengthening demons on their own, and in desperation recruit the paranormal investigation unit of the FBI to help. This unit, lead by the sexy and egotistical Darien Lange, belittle the Iatros‘ powers and believe that they can defeat the demons on their own.

In the first story, UNHOLY PURSUITS, Darien charms one of the guardians of the portal, a young Iatros named Arianne, and gains access into hell. There things don’t go as planned and the team is captured. After months of captivity some of them escape, but the demon taint is on their soul, and as a result they have an increasing need for sex and violence. Only becoming an Iatros spirit mate can stop their slow transformation into creatures of the underworld, but doing so would admit that they need help, and then they would become bound to one of the mystical creatures forever. How the team manages to escape hell, remove the taint, and combat the demons is the basis for this series.

You can read more about this series here: http://suzannerock.com/?page_id=858

Sounds like an interesting world! Any upcoming projects you would like to tell us about?
Right now I’m working on Books #4-6 of my contemporary erotic series, Ecstasy Spa. For more information on this series, go here: http://suzannerock.com/?page_id=1208

In the fall I hope to write book #3 in the Immortal Hungers series. This will involve the third Iatros woman who was guarding the portal in book #1 when the FBI team went into hell.

Good to know! How do you keep in contact with your readers?
Website (where you can sign up for my newsletter in the right side bar):

What is your favorite thing about this book?
The world building. It’s rather involved, like a good paranormal romance should be, and I love it!

I bet. You have to love such a thing to create a world like you have described. What’s next for the Immortal Hungers Series?
The next book will involve the third Iatros female who was guarding the portal in book #1.

The next three books in the series will involve a mercenary (Samir), another FBI agent (Sparrow) and the redemption of a prominent demon (I’m not sure which one yet. J )

Always glad to hear about planned books in a series. Any special quirks or habits when writing?
I’m a coffee addict. The stronger the better. I usually make a pot of French press in the morning and work on it throughout the day.

No judgment here! *wink* How do you celebrate when you finish a novel?
I send it to an editor and then spend some quality family time. Normally when I’m writing, my family becomes rather neglected. :/


Hey ~ as long as you make up for the neglect, right? LOL Was there something in particular that gave you the idea for this book (series)?
I’ve always been a huge fan of the tortured hero. One of my favorite stories of all time is Beauty and the Beast. In it, the heroine helps the hero overcome his stumbling block and become a better person. This series is deeply rooted in that story.

Iatros are a cross between elves in Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings, and clerics and Dungeons and Dragons.

Tortured heroes rock! Any advice you’d like to share for aspiring writers?
This is a marathon, not a race. Take time to learn about the craft of writing and the industry. Know your options (authors have many now). Think about what you want to achieve with your writing before you begin this journey. Write goals and a business plan. Then stick to it. Don’t let others’ negativity derail you. Likewise, don’t let others’ successes get you down. We all have the same goal, but we reach that goal at different rates.

Finally, take courses from authors who have been in the business a while to learn as much as you can. I have two writing courses that I offer online, one about craft and another about the industry. They can be found here: http://suzannerock.com/?page_id=64

Great advice! What is one thing you know now that you wish you had known when you first started writing?

Can I name two? Absolutely!

1) The urge to be published is overwhelming at times. Be willing to walk away from a contract if you feel it’s a bad deal. Sometimes it’s better to not be published than to be stuck in a contract that hurts your career.

2) The urge to produce more, faster is overwhelming at times. When you feel overwhelmed take a step back and look at the big picture. Good books take time to write. Rushing only leads to mistakes which can frustrate readers. It also leads to writer burnout.

And again with the great advice! Alcoholic or Non-alcoholic?
Alcoholic – definitely!

What is your favorite drink?
Coffee of course!

Of course! What is your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving.

Favorite place you have ever visited?
Paris, France.

Boxers or briefs?
Commando. Less to take off. J

Word. M&M’s or Skittles?
M&M’s

E-reader or Paperback?
E-reader!!!

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert

I want to thank Ms. Rock for appearing today and for taking the time to answer my questions. Ms. Rock has several books out with a few different publishing companies. If you visit her blog at the link included in the interview, you can check them all out. But for today, I would like to share a few of her Ellora’s Cave titles with you.

**UNHOLY  PURSUITS**
Book 1 in the Immortal Hunger Series

**BLURB**

Darien let his guard down once, and Arianne stole the demon stone from under his nose. Now he has to get it back, no matter what the cost. It doesn’t matter that the feisty redhead calms the voices in his head, or that her body tempts him beyond reason. Only the stone will ensure his survival. He decides to appeal to her feminine side and use gentle seduction to get it back. As he begins, something inside him changes, and the voices in his head compel him to use pain to heighten desire.

As Darien’s touch turns dark, Arianne’s lust escalates, and a connection forms between them. Yet despite her need, she can’t let the sexy FBI agent have what he wants. If placed in the wrong hands, the stone would release an unholy force intent on destroying everything she loves—including him.



**UNHOLY CRAVINGS**
Book 2 in the Immortal Hunger Series

**BLURB**

When Soren and Donar escape their hellish prison, their memories are erased and an evil taint threatens to consume all the goodness inside them. They both find solace in the same woman, a healer who has lost faith in her powers, and the respect of her people. As the men spend time with her, their personalities change, and each takes on certain characteristics of the monsters inside of them. They try to resist but when the healer’s life is threatened, their darkness entwines with their human side, transforming them both into sexually charged beings who crave much more than a healer’s soothing touch.

Tara knows that she should be wary of the darkness inside Donar and Soren, but she is fascinated. She craves their erotic interludes, only feeling complete when surrounded by both men and monsters. She wants to help them both control their inner darkness but can only offer peace to one, dooming the other for a life of torment. Which should she choose to save? With each erotic encounter, it becomes more and more difficult for Tara to decide…


**EXCERPT**
(adult content)

(Note: Deahmans in this world are demons)

“I have to call a cab,” Tara called over her shoulder at the men. A cab could take them far away from the city and give her time to think.

“No.”

That voice… It rumbled like thunder. The command caused her skin to heat and desire to spark in her lower abdomen.

Tara turned around. “What do you mean?” The alley was still the hazy gray of early morning and both men’s faces were cast in shadow of the awning.

“We need to be fed first,” Donar said from the shadows.

“Feed? What are you talking about?”

“What we had in the hotel room was only a taste,” Soren said.

“We crave and need to be fulfilled,” Donar added. Their voices sounded like sandpaper had rubbed over their vocal chords. She knew the signs. The deahmans were in control once more. It was probably from all of the fighting. Deahmans loved violence almost as much as they loved lust. They needed a healthy dose of both to remain alive. While sex often made them relaxed and amiable, violence made them more alert, stronger.

Tara took a hesitant step forward. “Are you two okay?”

Silence. Where did they go? Tara took another step forward, then another. Soon she was in the middle of the alley. It was early dawn, and the light from the streetlamp didn’t reach here. She could see most of the alley quite well, but there were many places for people to hide. They could be behind the dumpster, next to the crates or under the large awning on the side of the abandoned restaurant. There were so many shadows.

Why were the men hiding? She wished that she could see them and determine for herself that they were all right.

Then the air shifted and Tara felt a chill against her skin. The men came out of nowhere and surrounded her. She could smell their scents, feel the heat from their bodies. They stared at her with those crimson eyes, their faces etched with creases. It was almost as if they were concentrating hard on something.

“What are you doing?”

They circled her like predators stalking prey. “Our deahmans have not been appeased in a long time and they crave something sweet,” Donar said.

“Something delectable,” Soren said.

“We want to finish what we started, Tara.” Donar’s gaze flicked down to her mouth.

“Yes,” Soren inched closer, forcing her to step farther back in to the alley.

“What the—” Tara backed into the wall of the abandoned restaurant. A quick glance confirmed that anyone passing by on the street wouldn’t be able to see her. The awning above her hung too low and the stack of crates blocked her body from view.

“What are you doing?”

“Preparing to feed,” Soren said.

“Are you crazy? This restaurant is abandoned. There’s no food here.”

“We don’t need food.” Soren dragged his gaze over her body and moistened his lips.

“But you said—”

“Food will not satisfy our hunger,” Donar said.

“Only you,” Soren added.

Tara pressed her back against the wall of the restaurant. She was scared, but also a little aroused. The men’s faces weren’t angry, nor did they seem intent on causing her harm.

“We can’t stay here,” she said.

“We killed three deahmans,” Soren said.

“But who knows how many more are after us?”

Donar leaned forward until his lips hovered above her own. “Don’t worry Tara. We won’t let another deahman touch you.”

Soren eased in closer from the other side. “We want to have you all to ourselves.”

Heat slid around her body as Tara looked from one man to the other. These two weren’t Donar and Soren, these were their deahmans. As deahmans, they were unpredictable. Tara thrived on spontaneity and adventure, and what these two offered her was tempting. She had her mission, however. She had to bring these two safely to Darien so that they could extract information.

Safe. It would be tough to keep them safe if their deahmans were in control. Maybe it was best to allow them some time to regain control of their darkness before they moved on. Besides, everyone was busy at the hotel. Surely a minute or two wouldn’t matter…

“Who are you?” she asked. If she could learn more about the twins’ deahmans, then perhaps she could figure out a way for them to gain permanent control over them.

Donar leaned back and smiled, drawing her attention to his blood-red lips. “We are your greatest pleasure.”

“And your worst nightmare.” Soren’s eyes brightened as he bent over her neck.


Clicking on the above link will direct you to Ms. Rock’s website

So what do you think? If you liked those blurbs, or you want to know more about Ms. Rock, please visit her website. And if you are interested in the books, support these awesome authors and buy their books. You can find out more about the mentioned Ellora’s Cave titles by clicking here: Suzanne Rock

I hope you all enjoyed getting to know a bit about Ms. Rock and her EC titles. Please feel free to leave a comment or question for Ms. Rock in the comment section below. We love hearing what you think and finding out what you want to know!

Until next time …
HAPPY READING!!!


2 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for having me on the blog! It's great to be here! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are more than welcome Ms. Rock! Anytime!

      Delete

I lurve comments! Say whatever is on your mind; just keep it respectful. I am always game for a conversation. :)