Our very own ASK CERISE aka award-winning romance author Cerise DeLand has dropped by Saucy & sinful to chat about her latest ROPE ME IN. So, let's this show on the road and get to the good stuff. =)
Cersie, For people not familiar with you would you mind sharing a bit about yourself?
Writing has been my life. From age eight, I knew I wanted to write and tried my hand at everything! The result? A career that spans fiction, non, journalism, corporate communications and political lobbying! That means that my kids got a private high school education and college from my earnings, mostly as an author of romance novels, then later mystery and mainstream. Now? I write as Cerise AND do a few books a year still on the print side of biz.
What was it like to see your book in print?
My first one was a dream. I carried it around with me for a day or two then put it on the kitchen table for the family to admire. That became a practice that, frankly after 18 novels, became an “oh, another one?” event for my kids. Now, they just know I keep those books coming!
What was the very first thing you did when you heard your book was going to be published?
Danced! In my office. Yes, by myself! Rewarding myself for the dedication, I partied…and then got back to work!
When you received your first email or snail mail from a fan what did you think?
Loved every word. Kept them all for many years, recorded everyone’s address and used them as promo when a new book debuted. Then when we moved in the nineties, I had to give them all up. TOO HEAVY!
Do you believe that social network is a productive way of meeting potential readers? Are there pros and cons to networking with a social media?
Promo for me is always a choice…a daily choice of how to spend my time. I try to do a little each day, but the hardest part is telling myself to NOT fell guilty if I don’t get to it for a day or two. I travel often for research and for fun and I make it a practice to not do email then. I also close my office doors at 5 each day and make a FABULOUS dinner each night. No lie. It is my time with hubbie and he is a wonderful sommelier!
What was some of the best advice you were given on your road to becoming a published author?
A member of Washington
What advice would you give to a struggling writer in this day and age of self-publishing?
Many come to me, including extended family for help. My first piece of advice? Learn how to write every day. Make it a habit. Same time, same place. Start with 20 minutes and write anything. I warn them: it won’t be beautiful. But do not judge yourself. Keep going for one month. The next month, ramp it up to 30 minutes. By the time you are “lost” in time and the work, you ARE a writer.
If you could write any other genre than your present one, which would it be and why?
Oh, trick question! I write in all genres, except horror and fantasy! My favorite genre at any one time? The one I am writing at the moment.
Do you remember where you were when you first thought up Knights In Black Leather series?
Yes. At my desk, I sat and figured how to incorporate what I knew really well (Texas Hill Country towns and ranching), what I loved to write (cowboys, ranchers and ménage) and how I could create a series that literally never ended. Here we are! I just finished a historical prequel to the series about an Anglo woman who was abducted by a Comanche chief, based on a set of true stories. Next up? The historian who researches that story. Everything, you see, is connected.
I know that you put your own blood, sweat and tears into ever page. So, I’m curious to know if your characters have any of your own traits. Is there one character you think is more like you than any other?
Each of my characters is me. In some minute way or a larger facet, each one portrays a piece of me. Even the villains. Why? Because every villain is the hero of his or her own story and they have motivation and background and tendencies that are relatable.
When you began the Knights In Black Leather series did you have the MacRae Brothers and Cara Ford’s arc figured out? Did you know that before you began ROPE ME IN that they would end up the way they did?
The MacRae brothers were a complex puzzle to put together. I wanted them each to be unique, and therefore lovable for themselves. I find that ménage or a quatre is more intriguing if you give the heroine the opportunity to see each man as himself and then part of a group that is cohesive and inter-dependent.
Cara had an inner conflict wishing to remain independent after her divorce. The fact that the MacRaes came on strong to her was the challenge that I had to solve. Ensuring that each man was admirable and luscious helped her solve that issue.
The Knights In Black Leather is a erotic contemporary with four main protagonist. ROPE ME IN is set against the small town of Bravado Texas
Writing romances for New York
And, just how difficult was it to write four characters intimate and emotional story all the while keeping your story moving at a steady pace?
I had to plan carefully to show Cara with each MacRae brother in a new light, a new situation that revealed his lovable nature. That was, quite frankly, great yummy fun!
Is it easier or more difficult writing for a couple or a character with multiple partners? Why?
A ménage is a feast for everyone. Getting all the body parts in the right place at the right time is only half the challenge. The other to find a rhythm and a rising crescendo of emotion that gives each person in the ménage or a quatre the satisfaction they deserve. Takes time and care to write one of these scenes and you need a good supply of cold water to throw on your body!
Cerise, would you share with us a bit more about the MacRae Brothers and Cara Ford’s story in ROPE ME IN?
Cara has returned to Bravado, Texas
What was your premise for writing this story?
I really want to show three brothers who got along as siblings, as business men and as lovers of one woman. Not a normal occurrence!
I would like to take a moment and thank the MacRae Brothers and Cara Ford for dropping by with Cerise. Hi Guys, (waving above the crowd) I am so excited that you were able to drop by today. I hope you do not mind, but I would love to ask you some need to know questions that readers are desperate to know.
I am one of those readers that love to find out what people think the moment they meet the love of their lives. Cara, I will start with you. What was the very first thing you thought when you laid eyes on the MacRae Brothers?
I drooled over these boys as a kid, and when I saw them once more, I told myself I was not going down that road! I wanted a sense of independence before I took up with another man, let alone three!
MacRaes’, you are up. =) What was your first impression of Cara?
(Jed) We knew we wanted one woman to share our lives with and when Cara came marcheing back into town, we knew we had to have the hot charming lady we had loved when she was a kid.
Yep. Will here. She was a beauty as a teen and she is stil. The fact that she didn’t quite buy us as a team at first was a damn good challenge and we were determined to take her on!
I know your path to your happily ever after was more than slightly rocky.(Pulling the besotted quartet into a secluded corner) Jed, Harry and Will, what in the world possessed you to offer Cara such a scandalous invitation of rope her into their daily lives, sweet-talk her into sharing torrid nights, and set out to convince Cara that you three hard-lovin' men in her bed is better than one?
Hi, Harry here. I can tell you that we’ve have some success with women, separately and all together. But no one woman caught our mutual attention until Cara. Nothing like the right woman to turn you into a determined man, I’ll say.
Cara, would you please share with readers the moment you knew these sweet-talking sexy ranchers had your heart?
It took me a while to see that they were perfect for me. In fact, I enjoyed myself often with each of them before I let them sweet talk me into a bed with all three of them. After that, the way they treated me like a queen, I knew they were my lovers. For always.
Same question for you, Jed, Harry and will. When did you realize that your life didn’t make a lick of sense if Cara wasn’t in it?
What is one thing you, Jed, Harry, Will and Cara, would like readers to walk away with after reading your love story?
(Jed answers for himself and his brothers.) We hope everyone gets it that men can share and not be wild animals about having one sweet woman in their lives. We are not all Neanderthals!
Now back to Cerise
Thank you, Cerise for bringing along Jed, Harry, Will and Cara you today to chat about their love story. I truly appreciate you letting me take a few moments to ask them some need-to-know questions. =)
When that fleeting free time comes your way what do you like to do? Are there any authors you would recommend to readers until we have the next book in your Knight In Black Leather series in our hands?
I am always recommending my best friend, Desiree Holt, to everyone. She and I do an erotic thriller series together and the fourth in the UNTIL series (NEMESIS) comes out soon. I love Nicole Austin and Regina
Where can we connect with you on the great wide web?
One more thing before I let you skedaddle. The holiday season is upon us and I was wondering if you had a special recipe that you make every holiday season that you would like to share with RCJR eZine readers?
OH OH OH!
MY FAMOUS CHOCOLATE SAUCE!
For ice cream or just licking off the spoon…and easy to make too!
CHOCOLATE SAUCE
For
Ice Cream, brownies and decadence!
A great gift, too!
By Cerise DeLand
Prep time: 10 minutes to unwrap the caramels!
Other? 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips (try the dark chocolate, too! Yummy!)
1 12 oz. bag of caramels
1 sticks butter (1/2 cup)
1 can evaporated milk
Mix in a bowl suitable for microwaving
Heat on high at 2 minutes or less per time*. For a total of 10-12 minutes. (Do not heat all at once, it will boil over.)
*Stir at each interval to mix the chips and caramel.
Remove from micro and stir to ensure all caramels are melted and butter is thoroughly integrated.
Cool.
Refrigerate in mason jar or other ceramic. (If sauce is still hot when you transfer to a jar, be certain to put a long metal spoon in the jar so it does not crack from the heat!)
A great gift everyone loves!
I would like to thank you one more time, Cerise for bringing readers into the sexy fun loving world of the MacRae Brothers. Jed, Harry, Will and Cara’s love story in ROPE ME IN ( book 1 in the Knights In Black Leather series) will bring your legions of fans and new fans rushing to know more about this incomparable loving couple.
Thank you for having me over!!!!!
Happy Holiday to all!
ROPE ME IN
Knights in Black Leather, Book 1
Ellora's Cave • May 18, 2012
ISBN-13: 9781419967375 • ISBN-10: 1419967371
Order Trade Paperback at Ellora's Cave • Amazon
Order ebook at: Ellora's Cave
Available November 15, 2012
in Print (Trade Paperback)!
In Bravado, Texas
Not inclined to remain horny bachelors, the three MacRae brothers devise a plan to find one fine woman and get the good lovin’ they deserve. One gander at the new gal in town, charming Cara Ford, and the cowboys decide to do some old-fashioned courting. Then they’ll offer her a thoroughly modern deal—three-for-one. Three of them for luscious, lovely her.
Cara has returned to Bravado to rebuild her life after cutting the cord to her self-centered husband. One man was a pain. Why would she want to tie herself up in knots with three sexy ranchers known for their wildcattin’?
Undeterred, Jed, Harry and Will rope her into their daily lives, sweet-talk her into sharing their torrid nights, and set out to convince her that three hard-lovin’ men in bed with her is better than one.
Note: Contains three hunky sex-in-the-saddle ranchers who lasso one stubborn lady into their arms with menage a quatre, spanking and toys she can’t resist.
MEET CERISE
What’s an East Coast gal to do to if she lives deep in the heart of Texas, travels often everywhere, and adores Paris, Florence, London, Tokyo and all points east and west?
Ah.
She becomes an author who can write about those romantic places. With a passion for cowboys, spies, rakes, knights in shining armor and their gutsy women, Cerise DeLand is an author who adores an alpha male with a tender heart and a need for a smoldering erotic love affair with the right woman!
Cerise is a Top 20 Best Selling author on Amazon with more than three dozen works published in erotic romance, and she is the award-winning author of mystery, mainstream and romance with St. Martin ’s Press, Pocket Books and Kensington. Her books are on numerous book clubs, including Featured Selections of The Mystery Guild, Doubleday and Rhapsody. And when she isn’t dreaming up fiction or traveling? Cerise is a fabulous cook and an avid history buff.
Busy lady. Happy writer.
Find her books at Ellora’s Cave,Resplendence Publishing, Wild Rose Press and Total-E-Bound!
