Welcome to guest author, Molly Ann Wishlade! I have a special surprise for you today. If you comment on this post from now until it’s release date on August 30th, I will enter you to win Desire in Deadwood, Molly’s book due out in August. I will buy the book myself and send you the digital copy in the format you prefer. Comment to win.

Thanks, and please join me in welcoming Molly!

Who or what is your greatest writing influence?

This is so hard to answer because I am influenced by so many things and so many people. I have a great many friends who are authors and I feel that naming them individually might mean that I leave someone out (which I would hate to do) but I have been influenced by them and by everything I’ve ever read. So thank you to each and every one of you for your inspiration! However, I also believe that it’s incredibly important to be true to your own author voice, so whilst I may be inspired, I would never try to imitate anyone else’s style.

What is your favorite part of writing, i.e. character sketch, research, setting, getting involved in story, plotting, etc.

Getting into the writing…when it really starts flowing and the characters create their own story. They even surprise me sometimes because I’ll have an idea of where I think they’re going but they often choose their own course. They also follow me around all day and whisper to me, telling me their thoughts and feelings so I HAVE to have a pen and paper ready at all times!

What is your favorite aspect of reading a novel?

Being grabbed by the story and characters so that I can’t put the novel down. This can happen on the first page or a few pages in, but I love that feeling! It’s always hard when I finish a book I’m enjoying because it’s like leaving old friends behind. This is guaranteed to make me look for more books by that author though!

I see from your website that you love to discover new wines. Do you have a favorite?

I’ve tried so many that it’s hard to pick one. I do love Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne for a special occasion because it’s so crisp, clear and delicious but it’s white or rose at the moment because it’s summer. When it gets cooler, I enjoy a spicy Shiraz, snuggled up in front of an open fire – especially with the Christmas tree lit up.

When did you absolutely know you had to be a writer?

I always harbored a dream to be published but I thought that it was one of those things that happens for others, not people like me. So, following University, I became a teacher then had two beautiful children. I was so busy being a mother and working that I didn’t have much time to think about being creative. At times, I would sigh and my eyes would mist over with unrequited longing (and sometimes the effects of wine) for what could have been but then I’d put my ‘practical’ head on and dismiss my ponderings.

However, as my children got older, I felt that yearning to write building again. Only this time, it was stronger. I’d immersed myself in motherhood but I wasn’t happy with my job, so I took a career break and tried writing a medical romance. I read lots of romances, plotted a story then wrote the first three chapters and a synopsis.

I submitted my manuscript to a major romance publisher then waited . . . and waited . . .

I should have been finishing it then starting the next one but I didn’t. I procrastinated. A lot! Then some more. When the rejection finally came, I wasn’t surprised. So, what did I do? Not a lot. It just wasn’t the right time for me, I guess. Instead of having another go, I got myself another full time job at a different school and packed away my dream of writing, thinking that perhaps I didn’t really have it in me.

However, when I met my husband and told him all about my dreams, something clicked. He really believed that I could do this and he encouraged me to go for it. His confidence boosted my own and spurred me onwards. He’s such a strong and determined man that with his support and faith in me, I felt more confidence in my ability than ever before.
So, armed with his support and now getting more rest (as my beautiful children were now both sleeping through the night) I began writing in earnest. I scoured the internet for submission calls and publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts. I wrote and plotted and submitted. There were rejections but they weren’t heartbreakingly negative. I even had several ‘revise and resubmits’ which gave me hope and encouraged me to persevere.

My lowest point came just before Christmas last year when a Regency I’d submitted as an R&R was rejected and I felt like throwing in the towel once again.
Guess what? I didn’t.

A dear friend of mine did a thorough critique of it and told me what the issues were but also what she loved about it. It was a steep but invaluable learning curve and it increased my determination.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Love and passion do exist in very powerful forms and sometimes in life we have to make difficult choices, but in spite of these choices, we are still entitled to happiness. (I’ve learnt this from personal experience.)

The words ‘Age cannot wither her nor custom stale her infinite variety…’ – from Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra – often play in my head too. People are interesting and attractive at all ages, and life experiences (especially the difficult ones) enrich us with wisdom and complexity. These qualities are about more than physical appearances and I want my characters to demonstrate this.

The description of Cleopatra continues…other women cloy / The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry / Where most she satisfies… and I think that this is what I aim to create in my characters. The hero has to be hungry for the heroine – and vice-versa – and that hunger has to be insatiable throughout the novel and their HEA.

Do you ever use your life experiences in your novels?

Ha! Ha! Writing erotic romance means that this can be a difficult one to answer. I believe that my novels are filled with my belief in passion, love and the endurance and determination of the human spirit. I hope that my writing reflects my warmth and integrity. As for the erotic scenes, they’re not autobiographical. Honest! 😉 I write fiction. I read fiction. I watch TV and films. I don’t live in a bubble. I’m a human being. I think the list goes on! 

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take one book with you, what would you take?

Jane Eyre. I first read it aged twelve and I’ve read it over and over and over! At each stage of my life, I appreciate it for different reasons.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take one song with you, what would you take?

This is so difficult! I just love so many bands and so many songs. At my wedding in 2010, I walked into the room with my husband and children to the song Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, so that one has particular importance. But then, following the ceremony, we celebrated with Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin…

Are you working on any projects right now?

Yes, I’m editing another Western – Harlot at the Homestead – which I’m hoping to submit within weeks.

Do you see writing as a career?

Absolutely!!! Although I love being in the classroom, there are elements of teaching that I wouldn’t miss, whereas, I just LOVE everything about writing! I’m an extremely creative person and I would love to spend my days creating new worlds and characters and making my work the best it can be. This isn’t just about being published for me but about being a good writer.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Sometimes, I reach a point in a story where I get what’s known as ‘writer’s block’. The main reason this happens to me is because I get so tired after working all day. I give so much as a teacher that it can hinder my creative flow – as does the stopping and starting that occurs because I can’t just get up early and get on with my writing. However, weekends and holidays are wonderful times because I can relax and enjoy quality family time but also write when I choose and that’s when I’m incredibly productive!
The other challenge (one that I quite enjoy) is when I’m writing one novel and ideas for another just pop into my head. During the middle of my current WIP, I had such a powerful idea for another plot that I had to stop and write it down. Five thousand words later, I returned to my WIP. That novel, which is actually a modern day erotic romance, is waiting in the wings for once I’ve finished editing Harlot at the Homestead.

Where can people find your website or any other information about you?

My debut novel Desire in Deadwood will be released by Total E Bound Erotic Romance Ebooks on 30th August 2013

Link to novel on TEB site:

http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=2259(Pre-release on the site for VIPs is late July – tbc) http://www.total-e-bound.com/comingsoon.asp
Blog: www.misswishlade.wordpress.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mollyann.wishlade
Email: mollyannwishlade@hotmail.co.uk
Desire in Deadwood goodies: http://www.cafepress.com/totalebound/10057461

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Absolutely!!! Enjoy! 

Blurb for Desire in Deadwood

After more than a decade of separation, can Nate Hamilton really put aside his hurt and learn to forgive the woman who destroyed his life then help her to find her heart’s desire in Deadwood?

Deadwood, 1878, Nate Hamilton and his former sweetheart Evelyn Campbell meet up after more than a decade of separation.

When the widowed Evelyn discovers that her tuition post has fallen through, she is left destitute and concerned about how she will provide for her son, until Nate offers her a way to earn some money – and a way to exact his perfect revenge for her betrayal – he will pay her to be his own private whore.

The combination of past hurts, secrets and rekindled passion causes fireworks in and out of the bedroom!

Extract

“Take your clothes off.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

Evelyn forced her mouth shut.

She looked around the room, buying time. The faded brown curtains hung limply over the windows, not quite touching, and the afternoon light filtered through the gaps, its beams turning the dust in the air into diamonds. She could hear the rattle of a wagon on the street below and the regular rhythm of squeaking bedsprings in the adjacent room.

“So? What are you waiting for?”

She stared at the man on the moth eaten chaise longue in front of her. He was serious.

“But I thought…” She chewed her lower lip.

“What exactly did you think Mrs Campbell? That I asked you to meet me at the Gem saloon just to talk?”

She swallowed. “I had hoped…that it would be as we agreed, Mr Hamilton.”

“But it is,” he frowned, running a hand through his thick, black hair. “You agreed to meet me here and I agreed to pay you.”

She watched as he stroked his moustache. He examined her form and paused for a moment too long upon her breasts.

She pulled her shawl tighter across her chest and glanced at the door to her left.

“Now, look, Mrs Campbell,” his voice was soft as he straightened his waistcoat, “you are under no obligation. If you want to leave then do so. It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve let me down.”

Evelyn’s heart beat quickened at the muttered closing remark.

“No, I…I don’t want to go, Nate”—she shook her head—“Mr Hamilton.”

“Then keep your side of the deal, Mrs Campbell.” He leant farther backwards and lifted one foot, resting it upon his knee.

“Could you lock the door?”

He rolled his eyes. “Do you think that you have anything under those clothes that anyone in this joint hasn’t seen before?”

“I certainly do, Mr Hamilton!” her voice cracked. “No one in this town has seen me…”

He put up a hand and shook his head.

“I didn’t mean your personal attributes. I referred to those of the whores.”

Evelyn’s cheeks burned and she blinked away tears of anger and humiliation, wondering how it had come to this. For years she had imagined meeting Nate again, seeing his handsome face light up as she walked into a room. Instead, here they were. He had offered her money and she had accepted.

He rose and walked over to the door and pushed the bolt across then he sauntered back towards her and stopped right behind her.

“Evelyn,” he whispered into her ear, causing ripples of excitement to course up and down her spine. Her nipples tightened and she felt a tingling beginning between her legs. She fought the urge to turn to look into his eyes.

“Evelyn?”

She struggled to breathe as he placed his hands on her shoulders and the tingling lower down intensified.

He applied a gentle pressure then moved to caress her collar bones. He rubbed his thumbs over the nape of her neck, whilst he stroked his index fingers into the hollow at her throat. She felt the power behind his touch, the heat of his skin.

An awful thought struck her—did he mean her harm?

No. That wasn’t his style. Unless…

“Let me take this.” He tugged at her shawl and she loosened her grip on the russet wool then he returned to his seat and smiled up at her like a satisfied cat.

Raising the shawl to his face, he inhaled deeply. “You still smell good, Evelyn. I didn’t think you would. Why, I don’t know”—he frowned, staring at the shawl—“but your scent still pleases me. Now…” He gestured at her clothing.

****