Author Spotlight: Interview w/ erotic romance author Mari Freeman! (+Giveaway)

1. Let's start off with a small introduction about yourself and your books.

Well, I’m a redhead from North Carolina. I attended The Ohio State University and have a degree in Forensic Anthropology with a minor in creative writing.

I worked in the tech field for years ignoring the nagging characters that kept trying to come to life in my head. When the voices got so loud I could no longer ignore them, I gave up my career as a project manager and started writing with the intent to earn a living.

My stories are varied as are my reading taste. I love Stephen King, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kim Harrison, JR Ward as well as classics like Hemmingway and Harper Lee. I have a strong affinity for Poe.

All these greats have influenced my writing and the stories I tell. I have both contemporary and paranormal series.

2. Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?

That’s hard to nail down to one thing. Inspiration comes from all over. It’s been an unruly character who shows up and won’t leave, a myth I wanted to explore and something that grew from a brainstorming session with friends. I also have a great time playing the ‘What if’ game. What if your old cat was really a shape-shifter who is here to protect you from an unknown enemy? (That was the beginning of my book Birthright.)

3. Out of all the books you've ever written, which one is your favorite? And why?

You’re asking hard stuff here! The promo-ho in me would say the latest, Hot, Hard & Hexing because those characters are still very relevant to me. The series is action packed and the hero is so much fun.

But the truth is that Birthright is my favorite. The honesty of Keena’s emotions while her life turns upside down around her still moves me. And I get email that says she moves others as well.

4. Tell us about your latest release.

Hot, Hard & Hexing is the second book in the Hot, Hard series. The story is a stand alone, but it continues the saga of the Half-Demon Ambercroft sisters. Their human side makes their Demon magic somewhat uncontrollable, so it tends to get them in a bit of trouble.

Sonja’s Demon power is psychic abilities. But in this story, she’s up against a Dreamstalker who has taken to influencing her dreams and her psychic visions in a very sexy way, distracting her and helping her make poor decisions.

Enter Ray Burgess, who quickly becomes the star of those very sexy visions. It gets hot in New Orleans as they try to rescue Sonja’s cousin from the Dreamstalker.

5. Would you ever consider writing a Young Adult book/series?

Um…probably not. All my currently published work is erotic romance. I do have some mainstream work in the pipeline. (shhh…not supposed to tell yet) but even that is on the steamy side of the romance scale.

I enjoy much of the YA out there. It’s just not my voice.

6. What advice would you have for aspiring authors who might be dealing with dyslexia, or something similar?

I would tell anyone with dyslexia that your stories are what will make or break you in this industry. The rest of the issues, you can work around.

It took me a while, but I found a process that works for me. I have a fabulous freelance line editor who I pay to go through my manuscripts BEFORE submitting them.

Once I think I have it as clean as I can get it, she does the line edits, catches all those things I just can’t see. It’s an extra step, it takes more time, and it costs me a little money up front, but I put the best possible manuscript in front of my acquisitions editor, agent or publisher that way.

If you’re feeling frustrated with the process, remember your story is king. Your ability to get it onto the page is just the process. Find one that works with your ability. Anyone who needs advice or help in that area can certainly contact me. I’ll be happy to help.


Thank you Mari so much for stopping by today and for taking the time to answer our questions.

Giveaway:

Mari Freeman is giving away a copy of her latest book Hot, Hard & Hexing. The cover to this book is HOT, HOT, HOT. I mean steaming HOT. We decided it was too hot to share on Good Choice Reading.

Please visit Hot, Hard & Hexing on GoodReads to view the cover.

Rules:

- This is an ebook copy. Open INTERNATIONAL!
- Must be 18 or over to enter.
- Winner will be chosen by Random.org
- Winner will be announced on our Facebook and Twitter page.
- MUST FILL OUT THIS FORM!

- Contest ends December 16th.