Welcome to Coffee Time Romance, today we are chatting with one of our favorite authors Gena Showalter and she will be talking about her upcoming book Savor Me Slowly and a little about herself. Coffee Time Romance takes this time to extend a warm welcome to Ms. Showalter.
Hello Gena, Can we start out by you telling us a little about yourself? I’m just an everyday, average girl who’s overly fond of sweat pants, lattes, and red velvet twinkies. Currently I’m addicted to the Showtime series, Dexter. Will Ferrell is my hero and I am happiest when I’m at home, cozy on my couch.
Savor Me Slowly was absolutely delicious, can you tell us about it? First, thank you so much! At first, I really struggled with this book. I wrote first three chapters, hated them, deleted them, and started over. I was trying to make the characters fit into the square pegs I had created for them and they weren’t happy, so every word was forced. When I started over, giving them free reign, everything just flowed. Here’s a little about the book:
Mishka Le’Ace was created to be an undercover operative . . . literally. Her beautiful body has been mechanically augmented to give her superhuman strength — strength she’s going to need. Her latest mission sends her to rescue Alien Investigation and Removal agent Jaxon Tremain from torture and death. With him, she discovers a passion unlike any other. A passion she was forbidden to know. . .
From the moment they meet in a darkened cell, Jaxon craves her touch. But the machine half of Le’Ace forces her to do things she doesn’t always want to do. Even betray him . . . and ultimately destroy him. Now Jaxon must battle the man controlling Le’Ace and even Le’Ace herself to at last claim the woman he’s come to love.
Gena, four years ago you were first published, and now after such a short time you are a highly profiled fast uprising star. How has this changed your life?
I’m able to write full time now, which I absolutely love. On the downside, I find myself worrying more and more about every word I write, wanting to be better, wanting to produce something new and fresh and different than anything I’ve done before, not simply regurgitate the same scenes and characters over and over again.
Mishka in Savor Me Slowly is one of my favorite heroines, this kick butt lady has to be one of the most tortured female heroines I have ever read. Where did you get the idea for Mishka “Le Ace”? A few years ago, I was having lunch with fellow author Jill Monroe. If I remember correctly, I was complaining about my wrists aching – back then, I used to write my rough drafts long hand – and said I wished to God I my wrists metal. Mishka was born that day.
Gena, your ideas are unique, do you find it a challenge to come up with fresh ideas?
Ideas are always swirling inside my head. Not all of them are good, believe me, but the well is never dry. I’m really blessed in that arena.
Do you have a process when you write? For example; morning at certain time you start and work for certain amount of hours?
Each day, I have a set number of pages I feel I must do. Whether they flow quickly and only take me a few hours or whether I have to rip out every word and spend fifteen hours at the computer, varies. Lately, I’ve been getting up at 7:30 and working until 11. I’ll then go for a walk and eat lunch before I start writing again. I’ll work until I’ve met my goal, however long that takes.
Savor Me Slowly is a Alien Huntress story. How far are you going to take this series? Savor Me Slowly takes the entire series in a new direction, and I’d love nothing more than to explore that direction further. If readers embrace the change, and I pray that they do, I have the next three stories in mind already. And I’m sure the more I write, the more ideas I’ll have for the world and the characters in it.
Gena, I noticed you have a young adult book. What made you decide to write it?
I had an idea, knew it would be a challenge, but wanted to try. I’m so glad I did. One of the best emails I ever received was a mother telling me that her daughter and friends were dressing up as the characters and role playing. I just love the thought of my characters being that real to people.
Where do you look for names for Characters? I think names I overhear, see on movie credits, and online often sink into my subconscious. Then, when new characters pop up inside my mind, they pick the name they like and introduce themselves. At that point, I can’t change the name even if I hate it. That’s simply who the character is.
Of all the series you have written, do you have a favorite? And if so why or why not?
Right now I’m working on my newest series, the Lords of the Underworld and it’s the new center of my universe. The Lords are immortal warriors who stole and opened Pandora’s box, allowing the evil demons inside to escape. Now, as punishment, they house those demons within themselves. Maddox, the star of The Darkest Night (May 08), is the keeper of Violence. Lucien, the star of The Darkest Kiss (June 08), is the keeper of Death. Reyes, the star of The Darkest Pleasure (July 08), is the keeper of Pain. These men are dark and seductive, hard and tortured and I can’t get enough of them!
Gena what is your favorite music?
This always surprises people to learn, but I adore contemporary Christian music. There’s something so peaceful and sublime about it.
In writing, what do you find the most difficult to write; for instance is the beginning, end or love scenes ect. The end, totally. I don’t know whether it’s the fact that I’m not yet ready to say goodbye to the characters or whether I’m sick of the story after having read it over twenty times, but those endings. . . Huge sigh.
Gena, can you tell us what you are working on now?
The third book in my Lords of the Underworld series, The Darkest Pleasure. I’m knee deep in demons, gods and goddess, curses, battles, a human woman who can see into heaven and hell, and a search for ancient relics.
Where does Gena Showalter the author want to be in another four years? I like to dream big, so I’d love to be at the top of the New York Times list. I’d love to have one or more of my books made into movies/tv series.
Gena how long were you working on your first book before it was published?
I’d actually written seven books before I sold one. That book, The Stone Prince, took me around four months to write, I think.
Most authors say they were big readers before they became a writer, did you read a lot?
Absolutely. I was a huge fan of Johanna Lindsey and Julie Garwood, so it surprised me that when I sat down to write, I couldn’t write a historical romance. My voice was contemporary/paranormal and there was no getting around it.
If you could go anywhere you want, where would you go and why?
I hate to travel. Planes – bad. Crowds – bad. Pale skin mixed with sunlight — bad. You know, a fabulous day for me is driving to meet Blaze author Jill Monroe and/or goddess summoning author PC Cast for lunch. I wish authors Deidre Knight and Kresley Cole lived closer to me, because they are two ladies who always make my day brighter, and I’d drive to meet them anytime, anywhere. Okay, okay. I might even fly to see them.
Is there anything you would like say to your readers?
Thank you so much for your support. It truly means the world to me.
Thank you Gena as a huge fan myself this was indeed an honor. Coffee Time Romance wants to thank Ms. Showalter for chatting with us today, Thank You.
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