Age: Old enough to know better.
What’s your star sign? Pisces
Where are you from? Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers, Penguins, Pirates! And let's go to Primanti's!)
I'm married with 2 boys (3 if you include my husband-which I do, 4 if you include my cat-which I do) and am the oldest of four crazy Irish girls. How my father has remained sane, who knows?
Lilian: Tell us your latest news? On March 10th I released my latest novel Dangerous Love. It's book 3 of the love series but can be read as a standalone. Each book in the series about a different couple, but book 3 is quite different than books 1 and 2 in the series. Bad boys. *sigh* Gotta love them.
Lilian: Are you a heels lady or boots? Oooo, heels! Well, honestly it's more flats. But given the choice...heels! And then a visit to the ER for breaking an arm when I trip and fall in them.
Lilian: When and why did you begin writing?
Lilian: When did you first consider yourself a writer? I believe anyone who writes is a writer. It's all about moving forward with the story the writer has crafted. But I didn't consider myself an author until my 3rd book came out. It was when I finally started to sell a couple copies and get the hang of the process.
Lilian: How did you come up with the title? Easy one. Bad boy who works for the mob and has a nonchalant attitude about anything. A man like that is dangerous. And loving him can be even more lethal. Hence, Dangerous Love.
Lilian: What inspired you to write your first book?
Lilian: Do you have a specific writing style? I'm a pantser. I don't outline. I sit and write. Though as my craft has developed and my stories become more involved, I found that I have to jot down notes. Sometimes if I'm stuck, I'll do a scribble outline to work my way out of the block. I do write a 36 point character profile on each story's hero and heroine. That helps me to really get to know the couple as well as stick to their personalities.
Lilian: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Nope. I don't write romance novels for messages. I'm not a life lesson teacher. I write to entertain. I write romance for readers to be able to have an escape from reality for a few hours. I write the characters' stories where they take me. They're in charge. My job is to make sure their story is told correctly.
Lilian: How much of the book is realistic? Here's what I'm a firm believer in. Romance is fiction. Fiction isn't real. Romance novels aren't biographies and autobiographies. They're fantasy, no matter the romance sub-genre. They're the adult Cinderella story. I'm seeing way too many readers lately wanting or complaining that a romance novel wasn't realistic. Why? Realistic is your husband coming home from work with his stinky clothes, taking his shoes off in a place where you trip and fall, not putting his dishes in the dishwasher, nose hairs, snoring, the kids screaming while you're trying to pay the electric bill, and you both crash late at night from exhaustion. Who wants to read about that? Why would any reader want to read about their daily realistic lives? Romance novels are escapism. A reader gets to leave all that daily grind behind for a few hours and escape into a world where the hero and heroine have flaws, both characters overcome those flaws and grow as people, and everyone lives happily-ever-after (naturally after going through some sort of test of strength). Do my novels have some realistic aspects? Yes. (i.e: bartender, doctor, nurse, mannies, mob boss (hahaha).) But are they essentially realistic? No. No romance novel is. It's why we love them, right? So I implore to readers, stop asking for your romance novels to be realistic. It'll be a sad day for romance novel lovers if romance authors start listening to those requests and romance novels turn into real life stories. (blah.)
Lilian: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Nope. Only Lynn's character from Unexpected Love is named after the real-life Lynn. Every other character is pure fiction.
Lilian: What books have most influenced your life most?
I can't say that any novel I read as a child or teen has influenced me. But I can say the authors I admire the most are Lexi Blake (Masters and Mercenaries Series) and Tiffany Reisz (The Original Sinners Series). Their talent is what I could only dream to aspire to. Their ability to not only draw you in to their stories but make you lose yourself in their fantastic writing is second to none. A lot of authors carry a series on too long and it shows as the books continue. But with each novel, Lexi's and Tiffany's series continue to draw a reader in and never get old. In fact, I could say they get better. That's a terrific feat. And an automatic one-click.
Lilian: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Unfortunately I don't have too much time to read right now. Though I do make it a point to settle down with my Kindle nightly. I may only get a couple chapters in but at least it's something. But I've been rereading my faves because I don't have the hours to start onto something new and get lost (only because I'm trying to finish my own). Though I do have a novel by Tanya Kelly (who is new) to get started.
Lilian: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Lexi Blake. Hands down. I'm slightly obsessed with the woman. Lol.
Lilian: What book are you reading now?
I just got auto-delivered Their Virgin Mistress by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake that I haven't started yet. (See, told you. ;-))
Lilian: What are your current projects?
I'm working on the final novel in The Love Series, Taken Love and working on story 3 of A Quinn Brothers Story - Ice (this is my contemporary romance short story series). A few readers don't want to see The Love Series end but I believe book 4 is a good place. I don't feel any of the characters need their stories to continue and everyone's story will be told. But, trust me, book 4 will have all the over-the-top drama and dire situations that books 1 through 3 contained.
Lilian: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. First, families are the worst. To all the newbie authors out there. You're not alone in the fact that family members do NOT read your books. I have 3 sisters, a husband, and father who've never read 1 of my stories. But the one place that has introduced me to not only to wide support but has also given me the skills to develop my craft is the Romance Writers of America. This organization (whose membership contains some of the most famous romance authors in the world) is invaluable to a romance author.
Lilian: Do you see writing as a career?
I would love writing to become a career. That's my goal that I'm aiming for. I want to be able to write while dripped in diamonds, drinking expensive red wine, and calling on Geeves (my butler) to fetch me the pencil that fell on the floor. *kidding...maybe*
Lilian: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Nope. Can't think that way or else I'd drive myself batty.
Lilian: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Making sure I hit all the elements (character and story arcs, pacing, no holes) while staying true to the characters and plot. It's a craft balance that is quite challenging and with each novel, and as my skills develop and I learn so much, it becomes a personal challenge to see what I can accomplish.
Lilian: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
Lilian: Can you share a little of your current work with us? Sure! Here's the official blurb for Dangerous Love: Warning, book 3 of The Love Series is about bad boy extraordinaire Derk Forester. This novel contains strong/foul language, violence, and sex. After all, he works for the mob. No rainbows or kittens in his story. Possibly a puppy.
Dangerous Love:
Derk Forester is a man who's used to getting what he wants when he wants. He takes, conquers, then saunters away in all aspects of his life - work and play. Years embedded deep in the mob and a sour taste for relationships, he has zero desire to find a permanent partner to make a home with. His carefree lifestyle leaves him with a long list of inconsequential, bed-rocking, no-strings-attached women. A daily life he relishes until he meets...her. The one woman who could alter his world. The one woman he can't get out of his head. The one woman who could bring him to his knees. The one woman who could be used against him.
If it wasn't for bad luck, Mackenzie Hiland would have no luck at all. A cheating husband, shafted by the courts, no money or home, her life is a dismal list of horrible choices and even worse consequences. After acknowledging she needs to change her decision making skills, Mackenzie can't help but to be lured in by the dangerous man, who's taken an interest in her and is blatant in his desire to get her into his bed. Despite the fact she tries to distance herself from Derk, he refuses her rejections. Will Derk become another addition to the long list of regretful decisions she's made? Could Derk possibly be the man that doesn't screw her over? Or will Derk be the one choice that finally takes her to a point of no return?
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And here's a snippet for you:
A few minutes after ten, Derk and Smith sauntered into Cards to find it filled with wall to wall drunks.
"Holy sh*t," Derk spat.
Mackenzie was on top of the bar with Kayla and two other bartenders doing some sort of dance, gyrating to the pulse of the music. He could have sworn he felt his blood pressure spike. F*&k this shit. It was bad enough she just recovered from a concussion from dancing on that cesspool of a bar, but to be on display like a pole dancer. Forget it. Not his girl. She needed to find a goddamn secretary job.
Seeing red, he stormed right up to the bar, shoved drunk bastards out of his way, until he stood below her. It only took a moment for her to catch his eye. A flash of fear lit those beautiful blues. Luckily for her and everyone else nearby, it was the end of the number. She jumped off the bar to a round of applause and went right back to pouring drafts. Conveniently out of arm’s reach. When she approached him, he reached across the bar and yanked her close.
"I don’t like it," he growled. Eyes narrowed, he studied her as she nervously bit her lip. The caveman in him wanted to toss her over his shoulder and cart her the f*&k out of the disease infested place. Buuuut, that would more than likely have her screaming, and the only time he ever wanted to hear her shriek was when he was pounding into that tight body.
F&%k. F*&k. F*&k.
How the hell did he deal with this? He wasn't used to wanting a woman so badly he went all alpha or whatever. It made him feel...exposed, like he was gonna lose his sh@t.
"You realize you don't have a say in what I do for a living," she challenged, her voice unsure.
"You really want to get into it with me, Mac? Do you?" he countered, totally turned on by her defiance.
Shrugging, she looked him dead in the eyes. "Do you really want to get into this debate with me?"
She squared her shoulders and straightened her spine, ready for a battle.
Assaulting her mouth, he kissed her hard, his tongue reaching as far back as it would go. He was so f*&king hot for her, he wanted to take her on the dirty-a** wood bar. Apparently, she was just as hot, because she met him stroke for stroke as their tongues danced violently. He dislodged their lip lock. "Mac, you're mine tonight."
Her eyes glittered excitedly. "You think?"
"You don't have a f*&king choice, M. I'm tired of waiting for you. No more." Derk released his grip on her and reluctantly allowed her to return to her duties. Raking his eyes up and down her fine body, little did she know what she was in for when she clocked out in a couple hours. Waving toward the far end of bar, she let him know where she was stationed for the night. He and Smith muscled their way and not-so-gently escorted two barely twenty-one year old punks off two stools.
Mac quickly slid a beer in front of them, then went about her business. Derk ran a hand through his hair and released a long breath. He picked up his longneck and took a drag, his eyes plastered to Mac. As if she could feel his penetrating gaze upon her, she turned his direction and her cheeks pinked. Snorting, he crooked a finger at her. The minx sauntered over to him and leaned on the bar, teasing him with her perfect breasts.
"You're coming home with me after work," he demanded.
Narrowing her eyes, she said, "Are you asking or telling me?"
About to admit that was a direct order, he clamped his mouth shut.
"Will you?" he asked, with only a hint less demand.
She rolled her eyes which caused Smith to chuckle. A rarity for the man.
"You look tired."
"It's been a sh*tty day," he admitted.
Nodding, as if she sensed that, she relented. "Okay."
"I'll pick you up," he said. "Three?"
"No, midnight. I get off early." She gave him the most awesome wicked smile.
He leaned over into her personal space. "You don't have to work here, you know."
Furrowing her brows. "What do you mean?"
"Just saying." He shrugged.
Sh*t, what the hell was that? Sometimes that brain filter thing shut off on him. Now wasn't the time to spew stupid crap like she could live with him and he'd take care of her.
Beside him, Smith quietly chuckled, again. He'd kick the bastard if he didn't think Smith would retaliate with a bullet to his knee cap.
Derk picked up his beer and downed it, tossed some cash on the bar, then stood to leave. Leaning over, he grabbed Mac at the nape of her neck and pulled her in for a blazing goodbye kiss.
When he had enough of her taste to tie him over until later, he stalked out of the place before he opened his mouth and said more crazy, stupid sh*t.
###
Lilian: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Again, Lexi Blake. She writes BDSM (which is not my writing genre) but it's her ability to weave a great plot and her terrific characters that I love and get drawn in to.
Lilian: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I travel to the Romance Writers of America national convention each year. Starting in November, I am participating in signings, but I am limiting those to a certain number a year. This year will be only two. Next year, I'm firmly set for one but am looking to do a total of three. I may start doing more conventions but that'll be based on a number of circumstances to take into consideration.
Lilian: Who designed the covers? Joanna from Book Cover Master Class.
Lilian: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
In each romance novel each main character is supposed to go through a personal transformation. They grow and address their flaws in some form. It's difficult to get that correct balance. Derk's character is one that couldn't go through such an altering experience where it disrupted his personality. That was a bit of a challenge for me.
Lilian: Do you have any advice for other writers? Time. That's the advice that I'm passing along that has been given to me. This is not an overnight success business. It takes time. And when I say time, I mean years and a backlist of novels. And carve your own path. Yes, take the advice from other authors who've "been there, done that." But be unique to you and your work.
Lilian: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? Thank you. Thank you for reading my novels and for your support. You have no idea how much I value the fact that you choose one of my novels to spend your hard-earned money on and to take your precious time to read. Thank you!
Lilian: Other than writing do you have any hobbies? Not really. I'm trying to get myself back into shape, so exercising has becoming a priority.
Lilian: What makes you laugh/cry? Cat videos make me laugh out loud. And I love penguins. Like, really, really love them.
Lilian: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
Lilian: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music?
Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. I love to wear the color black. Music I usually enjoy from the hit list.
Lilian: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
The Walking Dead and The Fall. Good lord, if you haven't watched The Fall. Do it. Jamie Dornan is phenomenal in this show. He's so psychotic it's brilliant.
Lilian: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done? I have zero clue. Ha! How awful is that? I've never thought about it.
Lilian: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
I do have a website that contains a freebie section of short stories that are spin offs from my novels. They contain spoilers, so you've been warned if you haven't read my novels. I also have a section where you can purchase my paperbacks at 50% off. You can't get them that cheap anywhere.
http://www.caseyclipper.com/www/index.html