Friday, September 26, 2014

[Blog Tour]: Interview with Roni Loren + Giveaway!


WELCOME TO THE BLOG, RONI! :) 





Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son. 

If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that's it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat. 




Where to Find Roni:






TheBookQueen: Hi Roni! I can't believe fall is just around the corner . . . where the hell did summer go? I've just pulled a batch of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins out of the oven. Help yourself!

Let's begin – tell us a little bit about yourself.



Roni: Thanks! And summer did fly by. I’m not sure it actually happened. 

As for me, I’m the author of the Loving on the Edge series (among other things), a mom, a wife, and right now, an obsessive Big Brother watcher. :-)



TBQ: Your newest release, Forever Starts Tonight, releases September 16th (congrats!). Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?

R: A few years ago, I wrote a ménage romance called Melt Into You, and this story is a follow-up to that (though, it can stand alone if you haven’t read the first.) When this story starts, Jace, Evangeline, and Andre have fallen in love and are giving a relationship a go. But a relationship with two guys and one girl has all kinds of challenges. I always wondered at the end of ménage romances—what happens now? Like yeah, they love each other, great, but the world isn’t exactly set up for the polyamorous. So what now? That’s why I wanted to write this story. And when readers started to email me, asking for more from these three, I was happy to oblige. So this story hopefully gives readers what they’ve been asking for—more Jace, Evan, and Andre; life after the “I love you” moment, and, of course, more male/male scenes, lol.



TBQ: I'm all for more m/m scenes! :) Personally, when I read a menage book, I find the ones that include m/m action, rather than all m/f/m, to be much more satisfying. *smirk* 

At what point did you realize that these three needed another book?

R: I think I knew as soon as I finished writing Melt. It didn’t end on a cliffhanger, but I felt like these three were just getting started. However, I knew if I tried to squeeze everything into that first book, I’d end up with a 150k word book. I was already over word count in the first place, lol. So, I’m thrilled that I finally got to write the follow-up and explore all those things I wanted to.



TBQ: I'm all for realistic after-the-HEA novellas! 

Let's talk about the happy couple -- er, trio? 

Why do Jace, Evan and Andre belong together?  Perhaps more importantly how do they make such a triad work long term?

R: I think they belong together because they have all been through a lot in their life and they’ve found kindred spirits in each other. They’re all kinky, open-minded, loving, and aren’t afraid to talk things through. They’d sacrifice anything for each other. And how can they make it work long term? Well, you’ll have to read to find out since that’s the big question in this story. ;-)



TBQ: In case readers (like me) have not yet read Melt Into You, introduce us to these three characters. In 5 words or less, describe Andre for us. And let's not forget Jace and Evan – how would you describe them? 

R: Jace: Cocky, dominant, blond, mischievous, and loyal

Andre: Thoughtful, smart, a cop, Hispanic, and a switch

Evangeline: Strong, submissive, artistic, daring, and introspective



TBQ: What draws you to a menage/triad story, both as a reader and a writer? What is the most difficult thing about writing such a complicated romance?


R: I love reading ménage romance, so that’s what first inspired me to write one. What’s not to like about two hot guys giving their attention to one woman? But I also am of the mind that if three people really decided to be in a permanent relationship together that the guys would most likely have a relationship with each other as well. So I write m/m/f ménage (as opposed to m/f/m) when I write a triad story. That means I need to establish a relationship between all three, then between each guy with the heroine, then another between the guys. So it IS complicated, lol. Usually halfway through a ménage book, I’m like—wait, why am I doing this to myself again? But in the end, I love writing all those dynamics.



TBQ: *nods* Really, triads can be summed up with "It's complicated" and anyone who reads the genre gets it. :) 

Do you have a favorite part from Forever Starts Tonight? 


R: The three go to a mountain cabin that is equipped with a shower room that has all the kinky equipment anyone could want. So there’s a scene in the shower with all three of them that was really fun to write.



TBQ: Oooh, I'm in! :) 

I know we all hate this question, author and reader alike. :) But I have to ask: What are a few of your favorite books and/or authors?


R: Always a tough question. How about I pick a few of my favorites that I’ve read this year?
The Saint by Tiffany Reisz (erotica)
Love and Other Scandals by Caroline Linden (historical)
Linger by Lauren Jameson (erotic romance)
Third Degree by Julie Cross (new adult)
Hard Time by Cara McKenna (erotic romance)



TBQ: Oh yes, Reisz is made of pure AWESOMENESS. And I've heard so many graet things about Hard Time; it's on my Kindle!

We've all fallen for a hero (or two, or three, or....ahem).  Tell us one hero that you've fallen for—who is he and what drew you to him?


R: Jamie from Outlander. A highlander, a ginger, a warrior, and a sexy virgin? Win. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I heard that the books were getting a TV series.



TBQ: Jamie will forever be one of my favorites. And I'm so happy with the episodes so far (the Wedding just about killed me though, in a very, very good way!).

What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?


R: I have the complete edition of Not Until You (formerly released as a serial) coming out in November. That one’s a m/f BDSM romance with a New Adult vibe. And then in January, Nothing Between Us, comes out. That will be Colby’s story and will be my first full-length ménage romance since Melt Into You. I’m really excited about it. There’s an agoraphobic heroine who watches one of the heroes through his bedroom window. And then Colby runs into a former male student of his who isn’t so young and innocent anymore. Lots of fun will be had by all. : )


SPEED ROUND:

A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?
Spa


Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?
Spicy


Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord?
Highlander (Because Jamie. 'nuff said.)


Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?
Cold winter nights. I live it TX. I’m over the heat. (I'll trade you winters; you can have my UT winter and I'll take the TX one. LOL)


Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness?
In the mountains with nearby access to civilization and internet. (Perhaps Grant's Tahoe cabin, hm? LOL)


If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be?
I’d like to visit a few time periods, but women didn’t have many rights in the past, so I don’t think I’d want to stay anywhere long, lol. (True!)


Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
I’m such a whore for a pretty cover. (Don't worry -- you are in good company!)


Steamy Novella OR Sweet Novel? (aka, Quickie or Slow Build Up?)
Steamy Novel usually but it depends on my mood and how much time I have


Quick—name the one food that you cannot live without?
Cheese


Last book that you read and loved?
Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas


And finally, tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself:
  1. I can spin a basketball on my finger.
  2. I was originally going to be a sex therapist. (LOL Are you sure you didn't accomplish that goal but in the fiction writing world? :) That's awesome, by the way).
  3. I love to cook but rarely cook the same recipe twice.


TheBookQueen: Thanks so much for stopping by, Roni, and please know that you are welcome back anytime! Do you have any questions for our readers—something to spark a good discussion? :)

Roni: Thanks for having me!

Question: What’s the best book you’ve read this summer? Or, if you were to dream up a ménage romance, which two actors/musicians/celebrities would you want as the heroes?




Forever Starts Tonight by Roni Loren
Publisher: InterMix (September 16, 2014)
Series: Loving on the Edge, 5.5
Genre: Contemporary Erotica (menage)

The wait is over. They fell in love in Melt Into You, but that was only the beginning. Now New York Times bestselling author Roni Loren dials up the passion as three lovers reinvent the meaning of togetherness and find out if love is truly enough…

Two dominant men, one beautiful woman. Jace Austin knows he doesn’t have what you’d call a conventional relationship with Evan and Andre, but it works. Boy, does it work—until Evan starts acting strangely and Andre’s ex-fiancée pops back into his life, unbalancing a perfectly happy threesome. Jace is forced to face the unthinkable: that the two people he cares most about in this world are in danger of slipping away from him.

So Jace plans a surprise getaway to a secluded mountain cabin for the three of them. And he knows exactly what he needs to do: give both his lovers a fantasy week they’ll never forget. And the possibilities for pleasure are endless. But when they get snowed in and the heat between them reaches a fever pitch, secrets come out. And Evan has one that could change all their lives forever



Where to Buy*:
More Info:



Forever Starts Tonight by Roni Loren
Excerpt


Jace let his gaze slide over and drink in the view. Andre worked out regularly, keeping in shape for the police department, but it was more than the body that drew Jace’s eye. Jace had never been one to pin himself down with labels, but not until Andre had he ever seen a man as so damn fuckable. This guy had been his best friend for so long. He was his bro in every sense still, his fellow dominant. But there was so much more there now. Once Jace had acknowledged the attraction he’d been ignoring, had seen Andre’s submissive side, there’d been no turning off that desire. The guy made him hard. He made Jace want to do things he’d never craved before. And as Jace’s focus moved over that tanned skin and the trail of dark hair that disappeared beneath the band of Andre’s pants, he suddenly had a laundry list of cravings. He let his eyes close again.

“Or we could wave the white flag, miss another hour of sleep, and get ready for the day,” Jace said, not opening his eyes, a mischievous smile touching his lips.

“What do you mean?”

“Ev was right about that shower. Would be a shame to waste it. And I could use a hot one right now.” He flopped his head to the side to look over at Andre.

Andre’s smile was sardonic. “So you really were looking at porn when I came in.”

“On my computer? No. In my head? It’s always there.” He reached out and slipped his fingers into the waistband of Andre’s pants. “And right now I’m thinking you slicked up with soap and tied down to one of those benches sounds way better than sleep or a cup of coffee. You game?”

“You asking or telling?”

Jace leaned forward, letting his hand slide lower until he gripped Andre’s already half-hard cock in his hand. He gave it a squeeze, knowing the snap of discomfort would put Andre in the right state of mind. “I’m telling. Lose the pants and go get the water warm.”

Andre’s dark eyes flared in the low morning light. “Yes, sir.”

Jace moved his hand away and brushed his lips over Andre’s. “And thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being so good to both of us. You’re an incredible man, Medina.”

Andre tipped his face forward, touching his forehead to Jace’s. “And here I just thought you were letting me hang around because I was such a spectacular fuck.”

Jace grinned. “Well, there’s that, too. Prereq for hanging out with me. But seriously, I’m glad that we’re all in this together.”

Andre leaned back and gave Jace’s thigh a squeeze. “We’ve got this, bro. Whatever happens, we’ve got it.”

Jace nodded, and not for the first time, he thanked the universe for blessing him with not just one but two people who filled him up like this, who made everything feel right. He stood and cocked his head toward the hallway. “Get your ass in the shower and wait for me with a blindfold. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Andre headed that way, and Jace went in the other direction toward the bedroom. The hazy morning light was just peeking through the blinds and Evan was curled under the puffy down comforter, dark hair splayed over the pillow, arms hugging a pillow as if she were missing their presence in the bed. He stood in the doorway, watching her for a long moment, his chest swelling with emotion. He could still remember what she’d looked like when he met her as a teenager. She’d been beautiful then, too, but so lost from having lived such a rough life for a young girl. Those blue eyes had held wariness and hurt. Now she’d grown into this strong woman, this stunning creature who made him laugh, made him think, made him love. And on top of all that, she could match him on the freak scale notch for notch, which was quite a feat.

Which was why, despite the early hours, he climbed into bed behind her, curled his arms around her, and whispered, “Good morning, love. I’m about to fuck your boyfriend in the shower if you want to join us.”

She murmured softly and stirred. “Mmm, am I having that hot dream again about guys playing Drop the Soap in the communal showers?”

He huffed a quiet laugh against the curve of her neck. “Dirty girl. Sorry to wake you so early. But you said last night you wanted to watch. Or you could join in.”

She nestled into him. “Is it weird that I have a fantasy about being a fly on the wall instead of a participant?”

“Not at all. I don’t even have to tell Andre that you’re there. He’ll be blindfolded.”

She groaned. “You guys are getting really good at the wake-up call. Normally, nothing could get me out of bed this early, but you’re pushing my buttons, Jace Austin.”

He gave her neck a soft bite. “Give me five minutes, gorgeous, then you can sneak in.”



*DIES*

I want to be a fly on the wall, too . . . 






a Rafflecopter giveaway



Thanks for stopping by today, Roni, I had a great time with the interview! 

I'm in the middle of FST; it's my pleasure read (hehe) between all my textbook reading right now. Needless to say, I'm loving it! I just got to the shower scene in the excerpt above . . . *dies again* Um, yeah, I'm happy. Very happy. :D

So, have you read Roni Loren? Do you have a favorite of hers?

Oh, and don't forget her question: 

What’s the best book you’ve read this summer? Or, if you were to dream up a ménage romance, which two actors/musicians/celebrities would you want as the heroes?



Enjoy!



Until Next Time,

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  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

2 comments :

Sophia Rose said...

Enjoyed the interview, ladies! Love Jamie Fraser and a Tahoe cabin sounds like a fab getaway.

Hmm, best book of the summer is a tough one to call since I read so many. I would say Five Ways to Fall by KA Tucker or Home the Hard Way by ZA Maxfield were a couple that stand out.

Anna@herding cats&burning soup said...

Oh those were the perfect sum-ups for those three. They were so great together :)