Here’s an author interview from Liz Crowe.
Take it away, Liz…
- How did you start writing erotica?
Actually I fell into it a little. I was more of a mainstream fiction reader but was “gifted” some excellent erotic romance books. I devoured them. Found some more that were not quite as good along he same time as I got bored doing my real estate day job and came up with the concept of the Jack Gordon/Sara Thornton dynamic.
- What’s your favourite published work of yours and why?
Well, the Stewart Realty series is VERY near and dear to my heart. It’s the one I’ve worked on the longest and the one that is really taking off, bringing a lot of new readers to my “romance for real life” concept. Of those three original books, I frankly like the first one “Floor Time” the best as it has what I consider easily one of my hottest scenes ever. The “hallway scene” is one that many many readers will get to and hit me up on Facebook or twitter and go “wow!”
- What erotic authors do you enjoy reading?
I enjoy books by Lauren Dane and Shayla Black and have recently come to enjoy Joey W. Hill and Lorelei James.
- Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Real life. I find myself in any number of situations and get “what if” moments that inspire me.
- Do you have any unusual writing rituals?
No, I can write just about anywhere, anytime as long as the muse is struck correctly. I do like music playing and a craft beer beside me.
- Where’s your favourite place to write?
I wrote the bulk of Essence of Time (the Stewart Realty 4th book that just got a Gold Star from JERR) on the verandah of The Hotel Galvez in Galveston Texas during an impromptu spring break trip. I would LOVE to go back there every spring and do it all over again.
- Who is your favourite character from one of your stories and why?
Since we are talking about the Stewart Realty series I have to say I love Jack Gordon. He is the uber alpha male I crafted at the center of the series. He’s a super bad boy and he knows it but is driven, successful, funny, and very much a Dom although at times in his life he has tried to deny it. But he is the classic Stingray, Aviator Ray Bans, Rolex and custom tailored suit wearing dude that has captured many new readers for me.
- Do your nearest and dearest know what you do, and if so, what was their reaction when they found out?
Absolutely! Many of them read early iterations of this series.
- What was your ideal career when you were a child?
I wanted to be a veterinarian thanks to James Herriot and his “All Creatures” novels.
- How do you get yourself in the mood to write?
I usually have a head writing epiphany first, then will just open up the laptop and start. One thing I guess I should say. I HAVE to write on my laptop. Can’t seem to do on the big computer.
- What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever been given?
Be true to your voice. That, and Get Good Editing.
- If you get writer’s block when you’re writing, how do you get around it?
I walk away from it. I refuse to force anything.
- If you could bring one of your characters to life, which one would it be and why?
I think Blake Thornton would be a great guy to know. He’s Sara’s brother and one of the main characters in Essence of Time. He’s a creative, energetic, loving hottie who makes you want to laugh and jump his adorable bones all at once.
- What’s your favourite genre within erotica and why?
Honestly, I don’t read much outside contemporary. I’m not a fan of paranormal, sci fi, steam punk or other sub genres. I like my fiction “realistic” as much as possible be it erotic or mainstream or whatever. My “Romance for Real Life” genre is something I take very seriously. I want all my books to reflect that realism when I can. It sometimes makes readers frustrated and angry but they keep reading!
- What are you working on at the moment?
A couple of things. Escalation Clause is the 6th Stewart Realty novel and will be about as long as if not longer than Essence of Time and will bridge to a new series, The Black Jack Gentlemen—a series about a fictional expansion men’s soccer team based in Detroit. I’m also editing Conditional Offer, the 5th Stewart Realty book—a novella about Suzanne and Craig.
I have a bunch of releases coming from other publishers too including Lust on Tap from Ellora’s Cave and Cheeky Blonde from Decadent Publishing.
- What’s the biggest writing challenge you’ve ever taken on? Did you succeed
When I wrote my 1NightStand Turkish Delights Trilogy for Decadent Publishing I took on my first m/m love story in Blue Cruise. It’s gotten great reviews including on Queer Magazine online. Then I wrote my first BDSM novella—Tulip Princess as part of that series.
- What’s your biggest writing achievement? Why?
Watching my sales climb daily, getting more and more reader fans finding me on facebook and telling me how much they love the Stewart Realty or Turks series. And getting my 2nd Gold Star from JERR (Just Erotic Romance Reviews—they gave gold stars to both Sweat Equity and Essence of Time) and a 2nd “Top Pick” from TRR (The Romance Reviews—both for Sweat Equity and Closing Costs.)
*****
For years, Rob Frietag has resisted anything resembling a true emotional connection, preferring instead to explore life, and his own desires, without committing to anyone for very long. The reason remains known only to a few, among them Jack Gordon, his college cohort in female conquests, and life-long friend. At thirty-seven, while he is close to achieving his career goal, head chef at a five-star restaurant in Chicago, he is still very much alone.
After an intensely emotional relationship with Suzanne Baxter in Ann Arbor, Blake’s heart is left shattered. Completely broken by what he believes was his one true love, he arrives at a Chicago food and beer festival, prepared to drink his sorrow away. When the two men meet, their lives change forever. But time is of the essence. When Rob acknowledges his true feelings, he will stop at nothing to keep them together, including finding a surrogate mother for the child Blake so desperately wants.
Lila Warren is recovering from a nasty divorce, needs cash and believes carrying their baby will fulfill her in ways marriage never did. None of them could suspect that the connection they share would provide the final emotional key to their life-long puzzle. When Rob’s secret is revealed, time becomes the one luxury they don’t have, setting in motion a chain of events that destroys the fragile illusion of happiness for them, and everyone who loves them.
*****
Microbrewery owner, multi-published author, beer blogger and journalist, mom of three teenagers, and soccer fan, Liz brings years of experience in sales and fund raising, an eight-year stint as an ex-pat trailing spouse, and making her way in a world of men (i.e. the beer industry) to her life and work as erotic romance author. When she isn’t sweating inventory and sales figures for the brewery, she can be found writing, editing or sweating promotional efforts for her latest publications.
Otherwise, look for her doing pounds of laundry for her athletic children, watching La Liga on the Fox Soccer Channel, or trying to figure out what to order in for dinner. Liz loves her Foo Fighters Pandora station, and watching reruns of Deadwood, when there aren’t any decent sports on the telly. Her beer blog www.a2beerwench.com is nationally recognized for its insider-yet-outsider views on the craft beer industry. Don’t ask her for anything “like” a Budweiser or risk painful injury.
Liz Crowe – http://www.lizcrowe.com
Blog – http://www.brewingpassion.com
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=%22Stewart+Realty%22+%22Liz+Crowe%22
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ARe –http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=series&qString=Stewart+Realty