How did you start your writing career?
When I bought the book written by Kathryn Falk titled How To Write A Romance, which I still keep on my shelves.
In the early 80’s I started reading those small paperback romances by Harlequin and Silhouette. Then since I had been laid off at the time, I decided why not try writing one of these stories. Sure looks easy enough! My first completed story I sent to Leslie Wainger at I think it was Silhouette. It didn’t sell of course, but she did send back some very encouraging words and even a paperback book containing a similar story as mine.
From that point on I knew I would really have to do the work at it, i.e. join the local chapter for romance writers and then attend the various workshops, seminars, and conferences.
Eventually I did learn the nuts and bolts of the writing business. I kept submitting to the various publishers. As my “rejection folder” grew, I also grew as a writer. My first story was acquired by one of the first epublishers on the scene, Wakefield Press, and from that point on I have been submitting to the various epublishers. I can only say it has been a gradual process until one day I realized that I could say, yes, I have a career in writing romance fiction.
Tell us about your latest book/upcoming releases. Is it part of a series and if so, can we read it as a standalone or do we need to read the others in the series first?
My latest release is titled DEADLY AFFAIR and written under my penname Collette Thomas. This is actually book two in what I refer to as the Todd Hollow Series.
Basically, these books are thrillers, containing not only strong erotic romantic elements, but also forensics, all interwoven to create a story that I hope will keep readers’ interest from the first page to the last. So far it’s working. The first book in this series, DEADLY GAMES, made a best seller’s list at Cooler Books.com, and has been well received.
DEADLY AFFAIRS I feel can be read as a standalone, but I would suggest readers start with Book One DEADLY GAMES since I carry the characters over into the new stories as well as introduce new characters. I’ve essentially created a community in the fictitious town of Todd Hollow, where readers get to know these characters, some of who wreak havoc wherever they are.
What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done to one of your characters?
Killed one of them off, and a not in a very nice way either. Believe me, this wasn’t easy to do, and it actually had me feeling some remorse for doing it, but it needed to be done.
The character originates in Book One – DEADLY GAMES, and is one of the characters I carry over into Book Two – DEADLY AFFAIRS. I can’t tell who this is, but again I felt remorse, yet it showed that I was capable of writing such dark stories that might require a bit of courage to write. Plot development can get scary at times, and it will have a writer wondering, do I dare do this? Or do I dare write about this? And Lord I hope they know this is not me, but comes out of some deep recess in my brain telling me this is the way the story must go. Don’t worry about what your friends, family or even your dog thinks. Always write true to the character and the story. And I do or I try in my Todd Hollow series.
What comes first for you when writing a story-characters, plot, location?
I think usually first the plot, then the characters, and location is important as well. All of it should blend seamlessly when creating the story. I’m always picturing darkness in some form when I work on these characters in the Todd Hollow Series. They do tend to push the envelope especially in the sexual areas. I found such characters forces me to look deep within the motivating factor of what they do what they do.
Now when I put on my other hat and write the straight contemporary romance as I did with Stormbound, A Soldier’s Fortune, and No More Secrets, No More Lies, I revert back to that lightness of being, knowing that the story will be inspirational as well as entertaining and always deliver the happy ever after endings. There’s some sexual content in these stories, but nothing you won’t mind your grandparents reading.
Which of your covers is your favorite?
I will have to say the cover for STORMBOUND. I had a photo of it made and framed and it now hangs inside my living room. I think the sun rays coming through the dark clouds over a farmhouse transports me back to a time when things were simpler, less hectic, and family values so very important. I know when I visit my epublisher’s yahoo group site this cover is right there on the home page. It has been there since the release of the story last year demonstrating that it is a inspirational to others as it is for me.
What would we find under your bed?
I’m chuckling. First, you would find one of those large storage boxes that is usually for the purpose of storing blankets and sweaters, but the one underneath my bed is filled with audio tapes on every subject possible. Also, there is a smaller box filled with lingerie. some of which was purchased at a Victoria Secrets. I guess I’m just waiting for Mr. Right to come along so I can take this stuff out and wear it. Meantime, you might say it represents my proverbial hope chest.
Beatles or Monkees? Why?
I remember both, but I will have to go with the Beatles. Every one of their songs brings me back to a time when things in my life were pretty normal, especially during my marriage: husband, children, parents, etc. My husband died in 2002 quite unexpectedly. My parents died in 2003. My children are grown and on their own – giving me four great grandkids. Every time I play any of the Beatles tunes on my Yamaha keyboard, I find myself becoming transported back. I gave all four of my grandkids keyboards this Christmas, so now we can all sing any of the Beatles’ tunes.
What book are you reading now?
I’m actually reading a non-fiction book called Te Unmistakable Touch of Grace, by Cheryl Richardson that a friend recently made recommended. The book has helped me tremendously in not only moving into a new phase of my life, but in also dealing with a few disappointments and frustrations that I’m experiencing at the moment. One chapter is helping me keep a New Year’s Resolution, which is to get rid of all the clutter, focus on living my life as simple as possible, and of course get myself back to the writing. I’ve currently started a third book in the Todd Hollow Series – DEADLY INTENT. It has been slow going but I think once I move into that next phase, the story will pick up momentum, and hopefully next spring or summer DAMNATION BOOKS will have a third release in the Todd Hollow series up on their site.
If you could meet any character from any book, who would it be, what would you do and why?
Brett Butler in Gone With the Wind. Here was a guy who was or had fallen in love with a woman, and she didn’t fully realize that love until it was too late. This is your quintessential love story. But here we do not find the well sought for happy ever after ending. The book pretty much reflects what actually does happen in reality. I guess you might say I’m the female form of Brett.
Anyway this is why romances that we romance writers create are so popular. Mainly, because they provide the escape for those of us whose feelings aren’t reciprocated. All we need to do is pick up or download one of these romances and we will experience if only vicariously that happy ever after ending.
I would tell Brett Butler there’s a lot more fish in the sea, or don’t put your eggs into one basket, or simply look around you, and you will meet the true love of your life, which does not necessarily need to be Scarlett. Now in my case, to the next one who does not reciprocate my feelings, I will simply tell that person, “Frankly, so and so, I don’t give a damn.”
I can see Brett smiling at me now.
Where can readers find you on the web?
They can find me at my Newsletters/Blogs. I write under two names:
Marie A. Roy – http://www.newsletterofmarieroy.blogspot.com
Here you will find straight contemporary romance.
Collette Thomas – http://www.newsletterofcollettethomas.blogspot.com
Here I write erotic romance, erotic forensic thrillers.
I also have a blog devoted to my dating life that I call My Journey Into Dating, which basically covers my outlook, experiences, and thoughts on this dating stuff after a certain age, namely the age of us Baby Boomers and beyond.
That blog is http://www.myjourneyintodating.blogspot.com
What is coming in 2010 from you?
One major thing is my decision to sell and move out of my house after living here for forty years. Then to re-establish my life where I can devote it to family, friends, my writing, and of course creating my own romance story where I will live my own happy ever after ending.
EXCERPT FOR DEADLY AFFAIRS
Miranda turned and her eyes slowly focused on the man behind the very low masculine voice. In the blink of an eye, ten years fell away as their gazes met in a mutual embrace.
Deep striking blue eyes that had once left her breathless, and worse, wanting, stared at her with a slow realization that he had not expected to see her there.
She felt herself go rigid. She’d been unprepared for this, and struggled to keep the memory of this man where it belonged, tucked away in the recess of her mind.
Tall, large, rugged, muscular, she easily recalled he was also quite endowed.
Women did not forget men like that. She wished her own memories of them together would have faded. Fuck, enough time had passed.
Dryness filled her throat, knowing his reappearance in her life threatened to take her back to a time when she found it too easy to give in to those young impulses.
Aidan McKay was and probably still was the hottest man she would ever come to know. Aidan McKay was a man who, after wreaking havoc in a woman’s life, discarded her and never looked back.
“So what does our esteemed Fire Marshall think started this thing?” Quinn asked slipping handcuffs on the pervert.
“Right off, it’s hard to tell,” Aidan responded. “This is a fairly new renovation, and someone probably did a half-ass job rewiring the place, and not meeting code requirements,” he provided. While answering Quinn’s question, his gaze remained on Miranda.
“This is a surprise, seeing you here,” Aidan said to her. He glanced at the pervert with both curiosity and disgust.
Miranda instantly knew what assumptions he was making about her—an exotic dancer making money on the side. It had been over ten years since she had seen this man. Why would he think different?
Aidan turned to Quinn. “I didn’t know you worked vice.”
Quinn stared at him, confused. “What the hell makes you think that?” Realizing the implications of his words, he grinned. “Well, things aren’t always what they appear. Let’s say Officer Gonzalez here is good at what she does.” He winked at Miranda. “Let’s get this one down to the station,” he went on and pushed the perp toward the door.
“Officer Gonzalez?” Aidan repeated, his expression filled with surprise, curiosity, and a look calling for some explanation.
Miranda said nothing, and instead gathered herself together, wishing she were in uniform rather than the far too-short black leather skirt and skimpy scarlet red tube top she had worn going undercover.
She tugged at the top, ensuring it was covering what it was supposed to cover. She didn’t need to be exposed to this man’s scrutiny even if at one time the man had had the privilege of seeing all of what was tucked beneath the spandex.
Memories threatened to flood her mind. Would she ever forget what it was like having sex with this man? No, it was unforgettable hot sex that would have her remembering it years later.
“And if it wasn’t for this damn fire I would have had more on the asshole. I hope they got enough to charge him and put him behind bars for a long time. Then maybe he’ll think twice about luring young girls on those online chat sites.”
Aidan stared at her. If he was going to make a comment, he was keeping it to himself.
“I see you’ve moved up in rank,” she remarked, willing to break the awkwardness that was settling between them. “You’re an investigator now?” She snorted. “I guess we both can say we knew each other way back when.”
“Rookie fireman to Fire Marshall makes a hell of a lot more sense than an exotic stripper turned police officer. How often does that happen?” he remarked.
“I’m sure not as often as rookie fireman becoming an arson investigator.” She laughed. “But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do these days. And right now this girl’s gotta head back and make out reports.”
She gave him no time to respond and as she started to make her exit from the room, she sensed his eyes upon her, and inwardly cursed. Time had helped to erase some of the pain he had caused in her life, but it hadn’t yet been able to erase those damn memories of them together.
She was on duty tomorrow and she was glad. She didn’t want to be sitting around thinking about Aidan McKay. A man who knew how to treat women in bed, yet break promises that could leave them emotionally scarred. Thankfully, most of her scars had healed, yet some of that pain remained.
Along with a nine-year-old daughter who believed her father dead, killed while serving his country.
Fuck, she thought as she made her way to the police van where she kept her clothes. Ten years and it could have been yesterday when she had convinced herself she could walk away from him for good.
She didn’t need this latest curve ball thrown at her.
BUY LINK FOR DEADLY AFFAIRS
http://www.damnationbooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615720491
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