Interview of Author Lisa Carlisle

Today it's my pleasure to present an interview of romance author Lisa Carlisle.

Latest Book: Dark Velvet
A New Adult Erotic Romance
Paranormal / gargoyle / vampire / shapeshifter
Buy Links:
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BIO:
Lisa loves stories with dark, brooding, isolated characters (like Heathcliff, Dracula, Darth Vader, and Severus Snape) and tough, independent, caring heroines. Her reading tastes very wide and she’ll read almost anything–especially paranormal romance, mysteries, and non-fiction on any new topic of interest.

When she was younger, her life took an odd twist as she enlisted in the Marines for a short while, serving in Parris Island, the California desert, and Okinawa, Japan. She then backpacked alone through Europe, and lived in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. Currently, she lives in New England with my fantastic husband, two kids, a cat, and too many fish.

Q: How did you celebrate publishing your first book?
A: When I read the email on my phone, I threw it up into the air in excitement and it crashed into the ground! After I regained my wits, I think my husband and I celebrated with a beverage and some chocolate.

Q: Your novel is being made into a TV series/movie. Who’s in your dream cast?
A: Bradley Cooper would be great as Michel in Smoldering Nights. Not sure who else.

Q: What’s your writing schedule like? Do you strive for a certain amount of words each day?
A: My goal is 500 words a night during the week and more over the weekends. I work and have a family so time is limited, but it adds up over the month.

Q: How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?
A: I can see much of myself in many of the characters; then again, they aren’t like me at all in many ways.

Q: Of all your characters, who’s your favorite, and why?
A: I love Maya in Fiery Nights probably because she’s the opposite of me in every way. She’s tall with long legs and is outgoing. I’m petite with short legs and an introvert.

Q: If you could change something about your first book, what would it be?
A: I wish I knew it would turn into a series.

Q: Do you eat comfort food/listen to music when writing?
A: Coffee in the morning, Amaretto or red wine in the evening. Yes, I have a writing playlist on my phone.

Q: Covers. Ever get one you wish you could change?
A: No, I’ve loved them all. I stare at them in awe each time as I have no idea what to expect.

Q: Give one advice tip to an aspiring author.
A: Keep writing; don’t give up. Everyone gets rejected. Two publishers who I’m published with now rejected me ten years ago. It’s great to see how much I’ve developed with time and hopefully I’ll keep growing.

Q: How many stories are swirling around in your head? Do you keep a mental list, a computer file, or a spiral notebook filled with the ideas?
A: So many! I have many ideas for my series with Ellora’s Cave and then numerous other projects that strike my fancy. I have handwritten notes, computer notes, phone notes...

Fun Stuff:
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
A: Christmas, it’s a great time to spend with family and friends.

Q: What are two things people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I’m pretty short and I served in the Marines.

Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A writer!

Q: Favorite food.
A: Chips and guacamole.

Q: Favorite happy memory.
A: My kids being born. (Without remembering the labor pains.)

Q: Favorite drink.
A: Black coffee.

Q: Hot summer days or chilly winter nights?
A: Hot summer days.

Q: What is the top thing on your bucket list?
A: I love to travel. Next up may be a trip to the Azores or a ski trip out West.

Q: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
A: Flying would be pretty cool.

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
https://www.facebook.com/lisacarlisleauthor
https://twitter.com/LisaCBooks
http://pinterest.com/lcbooks/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6463824.Lisa_Carlisle
http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Carlisle/e/B009C7T8L4/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1395172413&sr=8-1

BLURB:
Grad student Savannah Evans is thrilled to be accepted as a resident to a prestigious art colony. Where else would she be able to focus on her craft of writing poetry in a setting like that of the medieval-styled castle? The remote New England island is a respite from her hectic city life. When she meets her benefactor, a mysterious French sculptor, her expectations for carefree days writing near the ocean are distracted by unprofessional fantasies about her sponsor.

Antoine Chevalier built Les Beaux Arts on DeRoche Island to bring purpose back to an existence that has lost meaning. He’s wandered the earth for decades and finds solace in returning to art. When Savannah applies for a residency, something about her words touches him. After her arrival, a physical attraction grows between them, which he struggles against. She deserves more than someone of his kind.

Antoine proposes they become lovers during her stay. But the situation turns complicated when Savannah discovers his secret. She had suspicions about his identity, but finds the truth overwhelming. Consumed by her desire for Antoine and faced with a tough decision, she is blind to the danger that has arrived at DeRoche Island.

EXCERPT: Part 1 of Chateau Seductions

Savannah’s fingers traced the cool marble of the god’s muscular back and then the definition in his arm as he drew an arrow to shoot. She pictured Antoine bent over the sculpture, brows furrowed in concentration, losing sense of time as he polished each portion to perfection.

“Do you like this?” A deep voice whispering in her ear startled her.

She jumped at the sound of his voice, bumping back into his hard chest, and he caught her upper arms to steady her. Only one man in the castle spoke in that smooth French accent—the sculptor himself.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Antoine.” She fumbled taking a half step forward, away from him. “I shouldn’t have touched it.”

“No, don’t apologize.” He let go of her arms, but his warm breath tickled her ear.

He took her hand, caressing her palm, which sent tingles up her arm. Her bottom lip quivered as he brought her fingers to rest again on the marble piece. She thanked the gods he remained behind her so he couldn’t witness her nervous reaction, and she bit her lip to halt the tremors. This was not the way for a young protégée to behave in front of her benefactor. He owned the castle, created the art colony here where she was attending on a poetry scholarship—she shouldn’t go gaga simply from his touch. Which was exactly what she was doing.

“It pleases me that you appreciate my work.” Leading her fingers down the figure’s chiseled chest, he leaned in closer and added, “I liked watching you admire it.”

His voice alone sent flames rippling through her. Every nerve in her being lit with awareness in reaction to him. In the months since they’d met, they’d never been alone in such proximity. Weeks of heated looks from afar had inflamed her desire so the slightest touch became intimate, strengthening her need for more.

Sounds of approaching voices indicated this evening’s performance in the chateau would soon begin. Several of the musicians in the art colony had collaborated on orchestral pieces they wanted to play in front of an audience for the first time. As fellow artists in residence, they sought the support of fellow residents.

Antoine kissed her hand like a suitor in a bygone era. “I hope you enjoy the concert, Savannah.”

Her lips parted, opening and closing like a fish while she thought of what to say. When she mustered up the courage to turn and face him, he had already left the room, filling her with both relief and disappointment. Unaware she’d been holding her breath, she exhaled deeply.

Several times over the course of the evening, Savannah caught Antoine’s dark eyes watching her. Her emotions roiled in confusion while the performers played Barber’s Adagio for Strings.The way he held her gaze without blinking made her squirm in the burgundy armchair. The rising tension and resolution from the violin and cello underscored her tumultuous emotions.

She smiled at him briefly and focused on the musicians, aware of how her heartbeat had escalated. When she glanced again at Antoine, he still watched her unabashed, as if unconcerned about what the others would think. He took a sip of Porto, nodded her way, and then returned his attention to the musicians. She sat up straighter and crossed her legs at the ankles, then uncrossed them, and crossed them again.

The attraction was becoming more difficult to ignore. In light of how he breached the physical distance by touching her so earlier, she feared she’d be unable to keep her desires hidden much longer. She’d developed an instant crush since she arrived at the castle three months before. How could she not be—he was a renowned sculptor with a devastating, dark appeal. What was she to him than just another young resident who would be gone in three months, replaced by another.

Was she reading more into the brief exchange than was warranted?

It’s just a look. Only a casual glance my way. Even as she attempted to fool herself, she knew she was full of shit.