Viola Estrella

Hello Again,

Today I am pleased to welcome another one of my critique partners and fellow Vixen, Viola Estrella, to the Harmless Smut Blog.  You are correct if you believe that I ruthlessly and mercilessly strong arm all in my acquaintance to bow to my will.

Now without further ado, here's Vi!

M: Tell us, how long have you been writing?

V:  I finished my first manuscript a little over six years ago. 

M: Wow!  You were doing what I was supposed to be doing.  Stoopid grad school!  Anyhoo, what attracted you to the romance genre?

V: Good question. I find the dynamics of a burgeoning relationship very intriguing. The pursuit of love or, in some cases, the denial of love, and all the conflict that arises with this process is fascinating. I have a lot of fun bringing the couple together and watching as they struggle to find their happy ending. It always gives me a huge sense of satisfaction to get them to that place.

M: I totally agree.  I'm a sucker for a happy ending (and not the kind given after a massage.)  Wait!  Tangent.  Back now.  So, how many manuscripts had you completed before you sold?

V: Too many! I was working on my sixth full manuscript when I contracted my fifth, so five, I guess. 

M:  That's so cool.  Congrats on even finishing!  Now, what we want to know!  Tell us about the day (the minute, the second) you got ‘The Call.’  What was your initial reaction?

V: I got “The Email” which was fine with me because I would’ve been a blithering idiot if I’d received a phone call and they might’ve changed their minds. With the email, I read and reread to make sure I wasn’t just reading another funky rejection letter. When it finally clicked that the editor was offering me a contract, I hazily remember walking upstairs and telling my husband. I was in shock so I think my announcement sounded more like a question. I think I’m still in shock actually. After pursuing a goal for so long, it might take just as long to fully grasp that I’m now a published writer. But I wouldn’t want it any other way.  

  

M:  That's hILaRIoUs!  Even more so because I can picture it!  Tell me that you at least did something to celebrate?

V: We went to dinner, I think. Like I said, I was in shock. LOL

  

M: The truth.  Anyone you wanted to call and say 'Ha!'?

V: I’m not really a rub-my-news-in type of gal. Bad karma. But if I were, I do have a particularly unkind agent in mind.  

M: That's why we work so well together, Vi.  We balance each other out.  You are WAY nicer than I am!  Tell us about your current release.

V: Angel Vindicated is a sexy urban fantasy now available from www.cerridwenpress.com. Here’s a blurb:

Abby Angel doesn’t always enjoy her job, but she excels at it. Deporting unruly demons back to Hell is her specialty. Her personal life, on the other hand, could use a little work. The virtuous gene seems to be missing in this particular Angel, getting Abby into more trouble than she likes to admit. To date, her biggest vice has been Siméon Keller, a half-demon/half-human, who effortlessly managed to seduce Abby five years ago. She’s avoided him ever since but can’t seem to knock the bad reputation the blunder has branded on her. 

Now the threat of a demon rebellion has Angels, Inc. overwhelmed and Abby must trust Siméon to help her find the fiends threatening to destroy Earth’s only salvation. Staying out of Siméon’s bed is the least of her worries as she fights for the lives of all Angels and humans everywhere.

M: Sounds great.  Got my copy ready to go for my trip to Costa Rica.  Where can we buy it?

V: Angel Vindicated is available as an eBook from www.cerridwenpress.com. My upcoming release, a paranormal romance titled Bewitching You, will be available in print and eBook form on October 30^th, 2009 from www.thewildrosepress.com. Don’t forget!

M: Can't wait!!!  What are you working on now?

V: I’m promoting my current and upcoming releases, and I’m working on the sequels to both of these. 

M: You are a superwoman!  So, any advice you have for us ‘Soon To Be Published’ writers (as I like to call us)?

V: Stay confident and don’t ever let anyone ever tell you that you can’t accomplish your goals. If you believe in yourself then there’s no stopping you. So “Soon To Be Published” is exactly the right attitude to have.  

M: Well said, sister!  And now because we all know I like to have a little fun, here comes the 'sexy' portion of our program.  Boxers or Briefs?

V: Boxer briefs are so sexy!! Love them on my hubby and I put them on all my heroes, well, the heroes that actually wear underwear.

M: Now that, I like to hear!  Although there is something about a hero that goes 'commando'.  Hmm...naked.  Wait!  What?  Where was I?  Oh, so who’s your ideal hero?

V: Hmm. I could answer this question a number of ways but I’ll just go with what I like in a fictional hero:

Confident but not arrogant. Bold but not audacious. Sexy without flaunting it. Intelligent but not pretentious. Smells good without pouring on the cologne. Funny but also laughs at other people’s jokes.

Hey, you said “ideal.”

M: You're right.  I did.  And I want your ideal!  

Thank you so much, Vi, for stopping by.  I'm sure that all my readers never even got this far because they're all 'RUNNING' over to buy your book!  In case you have to ask, my rating for 'Angel Vindicated' is a 'RUN!!!'

Later Gators!