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Can you tell us a little more about A Seal’s Temptation and your Uniformly Hot! Series?
A SEAL’s Temptation is the 9th book in my Sexy SEAL series for Blaze’s Uniformly Hot. Each of the books is a stand-alone story, in that none of the others have to be read in order to understand the characters and situation (although I definitely hope that once they’ve tried one, readers will be inspired to check out the other books in the series!) and each book deals with a particularly sexy Navy SEAL falling in love. In the case of A SEAL’s Temptation, Shane O’Brian is on a reluctant visit home, dealing with family pressure and the lack of acceptance of his career. There, he meets Lark Sommers, a woman dealing with her own family pain and the pressures she puts on herself. In their own way, they’re both hiding from themselves and from their choices””and discover that the undeniable heat between them makes for the perfect distraction. But when Shane is called back to duty, then injured, they both have to face realities and choices like never before.
Lark is a talented potter. Can you tell us more about your love for ceramics?
I’ve loved ceramics as far back as I can remember, but I think what really cemented that love for the art has been my aunt’s work. She holds a masters in fine arts, with a focus on ceramics. She makes the most gorgeous pieces! The colors, the textures, the shapes are all fascinating to me. I remember one trip to the family cabin, we hiked up the stream to a patch of what I thought was mud but she explained was clay. She dug a bucketful to take home with her and made the most beautiful bowl. From what I’d have called mud! If I were ever to try to attempt any type of art, it’d be ceramics.
What inspired you to start a series about Navy Seals?
I was actually asked to write two books for the Harlequin Blaze Uniformly Hot series and was really excited about writing military heroes because my husband and a number of family members were in the military. So I came at this project with a strong love of military heroes and understanding of service from the view of the woman who loves a military man. But the only heroes unassigned to write were Navy SEALs, and ironically the only branch of the service that I didn’t have experience or easy access to was the navy. But I dove in, head first, and loved writing those first two books so much. Over the course of writing the next 8 after that, I’ve interviewed a number of navy personnel, including a few SEALs who’ve been wonderfully generous in their help and advice.
How does Shane and Lark’s relationship progress throughout the book?
Shane is keeping a major secret from Lark at the beginning of their relationship and he doesn’t see that truth is an option. Over the course of the story, he learns to embrace his truth and to face his reasons for having avoided it. Through Shane, Lark learns to face her losses and heartbreaks, and to embrace her own dreams again. They go from being basically dishonest with themselves to being emotionally honest with each other.
Without giving away too much, what’s your favorite scene between Shane and Lark?
I think the hospital scene was my favorite to write, and to read, because it was such a huge turning point for these characters. Not only was it a scene that revealed a lot of untold truths, but it was so emotionally challenging for the heroine, and so rough on the hero.
Who would you fan cast as Shane and Lark?
Oh, I’d love to see Chris Pratt as Shane and Emma Stone (as a brunette) would be a fab Lark.
What is your idea of the perfect date?
A perfect date is one that makes me smile. Something romantic and sweet, like a surprise candlelit dinner in the park or a drive in the country to a romantic inn would be lovely.
Are you heading to any conferences/signings/author events in the near future?
I’ll be speaking at the Alameda Library on September 12 this year, but my next big event isn’t until the RT Booklovers convention next April.
What is the best reaction over a book that you’ve ever gotten from a fan?
I was signing books at the Romance Writers of America literacy signing this summer and was blown away by the readers’ enthusiasm and excitement when we met. The best complement I’ve ever had was having a reader tell me they were up all night, losing sleep, because they were reading my book. What a wonderful thing to pull a reader in that way!
What are you working on next?
I’ve just completed edits on my February 16 release, A SEAL’s Touch and right now am working on A SEAL’s Desire, which should be out summer of next year. I’ve gone from a shy hero to a troubled hero and am now writing a cowboy hero. Man, I love my job!
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