Interview of Author Dianne Hartsock

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author Dianne Hartsock.

Latest Book: Shelton’s Promise
Buy Link: http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/345

BIO:
I live in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with my incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours I spend hunched over the keyboard letting my characters play.

Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write my tails. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside and a fire crackles on the hearth inside that kindles my imagination.

Currently, I work as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for me. When not writing, I can express myself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: The easiest part for me to write is the interaction between the characters. I love my two men! I enjoy their playfulness and flirting. They’re obviously in love, and though there are people around them, they’re often in a world of their own. It’s the same in my other stories. I like my characters, even the bad ones, and it’s easy to write about them.

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: Transitional scenes. I have the hardest time moving characters from point A to point B without being excruciatingly boring. My heart’s just not in it. I usually end up throwing in dialogue or some action by the characters I hadn’t planned on at first. Sometimes it changes the whole dynamic of the story, which can be a challenge in itself.

Q: Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
A: Hands down, it’s Shelton. Sweet and shy. A successful businessman, he can’t help loving the exuberant, beautiful Nevil. I love writing about his involvement with Nevil and how he overcomes his insecurities to make a future with him.

Q: What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
A: I’m the world’s biggest bookworm, devouring them two or three at a time. I also enjoy going out to hear a favorite band. Coffee shops and lunch with friends. I don’t know if these are hobbies, but its what I like doing when I can’t be writing.

Q: What’s your strongest point as a writer?
A: I think it’s writing emotions. Some scenes can be so difficult and might take me hours to work through. I hurt or cry or laugh with them. I usually have to get up and pace the house to work the scene out in my mind. But in the end I think I have something that will move people.

Q: What genre would you like to try writing in but haven’t yet done so? Why?
A: I think I’d like to try a paranormal romance. You know, something with a shape shifter in it. I’ve been hesitant to try one simply because I’m not sure how to change the MC back and forth without sounding ridiculous. Maybe I’ll make that my next challenge. Did you know that writing erotic romance was a challenge I had given myself last summer? Who knew I’d enjoy it so much!

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/diannehartsock
http://twitter.com/#%21/diannehartsock
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4707011-dianne-hartsock
http://www.breathlesspress.org/Book/345

BLURB:
Shelton has a gift for Nevil but can’t seem to score a moment alone with him. Will Nevil ever let Shelton take him home?

Shelton has a gift he’s anxious to give to Nevil.At the party, Nevil flirts with one man after another, keeping Shelton on his toes. Then Percy shows up to complicate things. Despite his best efforts, Shelton can’t find the right moment to give Nevil his gift. Will Nevil ever let Shelton get close to him, or will Shelton have to keep the gift in his pocket all evening?

EXCERPT:

Shelton floated, pleasantly dizzy, but he hadn’t had enough to drink to numb the stab of jealousy when Nevil leaned over Percy’s chair and whispered something in his ear. The man looked into his face and laughed; a tinge of color in his cheeks.

Seeing them together, Shelton thought of the jeweler’s box in his coat pocket, wishing he’d had the balls earlier to give it to Nevil. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever have the nerve. What if Nevil didn’t want it? Irritated with himself, he made his way through the crowd to the kitchen, intent on finding the bottle of bourbon he’d seen on the counter earlier.

The kitchen proved as crowded as the rest of the house and Shelton brushed impatiently at his alcohol blurred eyes. Where was that damned bottle? He almost knocked it into the sink, and poured a good amount of the golden liquid into his glass.

He sipped the warming drink, letting it trickle down his throat with its slight burn. He supposed Nevil couldn’t help himself with those beautiful men. Until a short time ago, Nevil could have slept with any number of them. Six months. That’s all Shelton had of him.

He took another swallow of the numbing liquid then looked at his glass, nearly empty again, and used both hands to set it on the countertop. It hadn’t helped at all. He leaned over the sink, refusing to throw up. Shelton jumped when an arm suddenly went around his shoulders, too surprised to struggle when he was dragged across the crowded kitchen and pushed through a doorway.

Shelton squinted in the dim street light coming through a curtained window. Nevil slammed the door of the utility room and twisted the lock in the knob.

“What’s the matter?” Shelton asked, wincing at the slur in his voice. Nevil crossed to him in two strides, shoving Shelton back against the dryer and giving him a hard kiss. Shelton turned his head away and Nevil bit him on the lip.

“Ouch! What are you angry about?” Shelton asked, not liking the glare in Nevil’s blue eyes.

“You deserted me,” Nevil growled against his mouth. “Percy practically raped me on the couch, unable to keep his hands to himself, apparently, and you weren’t even there to help. Some hero you are.”

“You can handle Percy without me,” Shelton asserted, and yelped as Nevil gripped his arms. Shelton was confused when Nevil brutally kissed him, sharp tongue darting into his mouth. Nevil bent Shelton back uncomfortably over the dryer and continued to plunder his mouth.

Shelton struggled slightly when Nevil’s hand dropped to his groin, squeezing Shelton through his slacks. Nevil gave a guttural laugh, stroking Shelton, his hold too tight to be comfortable. Damn. Nevil had never made Shelton feel cheap like this, before.

It slowly rose through Shelton’s muddled brain that Nevil must be hurting and acting on it, probably from Shelton’s seeming indifference to Percy’s flirtations. It always surprised Shelton to find a chink in Nevil’s self-assurance.

Shelton pushed against Nevil and the man stepped back, eyes dark with pain. Putting a hand on Nevil’s heaving chest, Shelton felt the rapid heartbeat against his palm. A tear clung to Nevil’s thick lashes and Shelton swallowed his pride. “I love you, Nevil. Please, don’t make love to anyone else. It would break my heart.”

Nevil’s eyes narrowed, then he hid his face against Shelton’s neck. “I’m a fool. I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve never belonged to anyone before.” His shoulders lifted in a shrug. “It makes me crazy when I think you don’t care.”

An unaccustomed thrill of power shot through Shelton that this gorgeous, virile man wanted him. Shelton put a finger under Nevil’s chin and raised his face for a tender kiss. Nevil sighed into Shelton’s mouth, warm hands sliding up Shelton’s back to urge him closer. Shelton went to Nevil willingly, molding his body against Nevil’s enticing heat.