1. Greetings, can you tell us a little bit about your history and how your work has evolved up to this point?
Hello. I have been writing stories since the age of nine; that’s well over twenty years. I studied Creative Writing in high school and college. I started out writing short fiction and moved to full-length novels, though I still occasionally write short stories and novellas. In college (2005), I published two stories in a university publication. I began self-publishing in 2010, and was traditionally published in 2013.
2. What genre, or genres, do you write?
I have published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, fantasy, romantic suspense, literary fiction and mystery/thriller. My works in progress span anywhere from contemporary romance to time travel romance to dystopian fiction, really whatever comes to mind. I am more comfortable with writing romance or its subgenres, but I am not afraid to try something different. Recently, I attempted children’s fantasy.
3. What is your latest book called and what is it about?
My latest release is titled Second Nature, and it is the first book in the Blood at First Sight Series. It is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy. Second Nature is about a young woman, Desiree, who finds herself kidnapped and confronted by a creature that should not exist. This fanged creature, however, is not a beast, but has more humanity than she ever imagined. She also must come to terms with some hard truths about herself, about her origins.
4. What was the inspiration for your book? When did you first get the idea for Second Nature?
The idea for the book randomly came to me in the form of a scene. I pictured Desiree tied up in the backseat of a car, not knowing who the hell had taken her and what he wanted. It built from there.
5. How long did it take you to write it? What is your writing process like?
Well, technically I began writing Second Nature a very long time ago. That scene was a seed in my mind, and it sat on the backburner for a while until I decided to resurrect it from my archives last year and make something out of it. When I really began to focus it, I would say that it took me a few months to write and perfect it. The ideas for the sequels came not long after that.
My writing process is fairly random most of the time. Ideas or scenes come to me and I have to write them down or it will drive me crazy. I also do it for fear that I may lose that crumb somehow. LOL. When I am ready to take on a new project, I will select a work in progress and write as many scenes as I can (I always have a loose plot idea in my head) before I have to break down and write a full outline. Then I do more writing, and the research comes after that. Or sometimes I research just to jolt me out of writer’s block.
6. What can we expect from you in the future?
Well, currently I am working on the final book in the Heiresses in Love Series. That is a Victorian romance, and the second book in the series came out in April of 2014. Anyway, the work in progress is titled Upon Your Love, and I hope to finish that soon. After that, I will probably take a small break before I work heavily on the other books in the Blood at First Sight Series. I also plan to write a new romantic fantasy sequel to Magick & Moonlight, as part of the Magick Series. And I have plans for a future series of six books called The Witches of Moonhaven Series.
7. Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?
Usually, I tend to favor the book I’m most familiar with. So, Second Nature wins. But, I do have a weakness for two specific books. I will always feel close to Fara Bellamont of Upon Your Return because of her spirit and, of course, the trademark red hair. I also have a soft spot for the characters in A Touch of Dawn, which was published under my alternate pen name Erica Sutherhome. Jack and Caitlyn are such special characters. Tragedy should have destroyed them, but it only made each of them stronger.
8. Do you plot ahead of time, or do you let the plot emerge as you write?
I do both. I let the plot play out, though I have a basic idea of how it flows. I never know the details until I get there. When I finally do my outline, that’s when everything starts to fall into place. Do the characters sometimes resist me? Of course. I have to honor them. So, even if I do create an outline, the book may not end up the way I originally planned it.
9. Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Favorite books?
I have so many! J.R. Ward, Nora Roberts, Chloe Neill, Kris Tualla, Tessa Dare, Kerrelyn Sparks, P.C. Cast, and the list keeps going. Favorite books? I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward. Sexy, alpha warriors? How can I say no?
10. Where can we buy your books?
You can buy them on Solstice Publishing, Amazon, CreateSpace and Second Nature is also available on Barnes&Noble.
Hello. I have been writing stories since the age of nine; that’s well over twenty years. I studied Creative Writing in high school and college. I started out writing short fiction and moved to full-length novels, though I still occasionally write short stories and novellas. In college (2005), I published two stories in a university publication. I began self-publishing in 2010, and was traditionally published in 2013.
2. What genre, or genres, do you write?
I have published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, fantasy, romantic suspense, literary fiction and mystery/thriller. My works in progress span anywhere from contemporary romance to time travel romance to dystopian fiction, really whatever comes to mind. I am more comfortable with writing romance or its subgenres, but I am not afraid to try something different. Recently, I attempted children’s fantasy.
3. What is your latest book called and what is it about?
My latest release is titled Second Nature, and it is the first book in the Blood at First Sight Series. It is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy. Second Nature is about a young woman, Desiree, who finds herself kidnapped and confronted by a creature that should not exist. This fanged creature, however, is not a beast, but has more humanity than she ever imagined. She also must come to terms with some hard truths about herself, about her origins.
4. What was the inspiration for your book? When did you first get the idea for Second Nature?
The idea for the book randomly came to me in the form of a scene. I pictured Desiree tied up in the backseat of a car, not knowing who the hell had taken her and what he wanted. It built from there.
5. How long did it take you to write it? What is your writing process like?
Well, technically I began writing Second Nature a very long time ago. That scene was a seed in my mind, and it sat on the backburner for a while until I decided to resurrect it from my archives last year and make something out of it. When I really began to focus it, I would say that it took me a few months to write and perfect it. The ideas for the sequels came not long after that.
My writing process is fairly random most of the time. Ideas or scenes come to me and I have to write them down or it will drive me crazy. I also do it for fear that I may lose that crumb somehow. LOL. When I am ready to take on a new project, I will select a work in progress and write as many scenes as I can (I always have a loose plot idea in my head) before I have to break down and write a full outline. Then I do more writing, and the research comes after that. Or sometimes I research just to jolt me out of writer’s block.
6. What can we expect from you in the future?
Well, currently I am working on the final book in the Heiresses in Love Series. That is a Victorian romance, and the second book in the series came out in April of 2014. Anyway, the work in progress is titled Upon Your Love, and I hope to finish that soon. After that, I will probably take a small break before I work heavily on the other books in the Blood at First Sight Series. I also plan to write a new romantic fantasy sequel to Magick & Moonlight, as part of the Magick Series. And I have plans for a future series of six books called The Witches of Moonhaven Series.
7. Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?
Usually, I tend to favor the book I’m most familiar with. So, Second Nature wins. But, I do have a weakness for two specific books. I will always feel close to Fara Bellamont of Upon Your Return because of her spirit and, of course, the trademark red hair. I also have a soft spot for the characters in A Touch of Dawn, which was published under my alternate pen name Erica Sutherhome. Jack and Caitlyn are such special characters. Tragedy should have destroyed them, but it only made each of them stronger.
8. Do you plot ahead of time, or do you let the plot emerge as you write?
I do both. I let the plot play out, though I have a basic idea of how it flows. I never know the details until I get there. When I finally do my outline, that’s when everything starts to fall into place. Do the characters sometimes resist me? Of course. I have to honor them. So, even if I do create an outline, the book may not end up the way I originally planned it.
9. Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Favorite books?
I have so many! J.R. Ward, Nora Roberts, Chloe Neill, Kris Tualla, Tessa Dare, Kerrelyn Sparks, P.C. Cast, and the list keeps going. Favorite books? I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward. Sexy, alpha warriors? How can I say no?
10. Where can we buy your books?
You can buy them on Solstice Publishing, Amazon, CreateSpace and Second Nature is also available on Barnes&Noble.
Biography
Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, in December of 2014. She released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy, back in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
A list of her books and pen names are as follows:
Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature
Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life
Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things
Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, in December of 2014. She released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy, back in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
A list of her books and pen names are as follows:
Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature
Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace
Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life
Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things
Second Nature
She never expected it… Desiree Edwards has a problem. She’s been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It’s something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he’s not the monster he appears to be. He seems so human-like that she can’t help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know. She was unlike any other… Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he’s a freak, and she’s just a human. The two species don’t mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers. Can Alec’s soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late?
She never expected it… Desiree Edwards has a problem. She’s been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It’s something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he’s not the monster he appears to be. He seems so human-like that she can’t help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know. She was unlike any other… Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he’s a freak, and she’s just a human. The two species don’t mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers. Can Alec’s soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late?
Links
Website: http://marielavender.com/
Blog: http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
https://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marielavender1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/
Trailer for Second Nature
http://youtu.be/CaD_-pJ0fE8
Buy links for Second Nature
Universal Amazon: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00Q7FWIWA
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/second-nature/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/second-nature-marie-lavender/1120879883
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/5131233
Website: http://marielavender.com/
Blog: http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/
https://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
http://marielavender.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marielavender1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/
Trailer for Second Nature
http://youtu.be/CaD_-pJ0fE8
Buy links for Second Nature
Universal Amazon: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00Q7FWIWA
Publisher: http://solsticepublishing.com/second-nature/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/second-nature-marie-lavender/1120879883
CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/5131233
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