Please welcome author Thea Landen to the blog today, as she shares with us more about herself and her writing.
What
was the inspiration for this book?
It
was actually going to be a fanfic taking place before a video game I
love in a location that is never seen, only mentioned. Then I
realized that 1) it was mostly my original ideas anyway, and 2) there
seemed to be a shortage of stories out there involving sex with
robots/androids/cyborgs. Everything else has gotten the erotic
treatment, so I figured why not?
Which
character was your favorite to write?
Ro
is one of my all-time favorite characters, not just in this book. She
initially comes off as fun-loving and carefree, but little by little,
the layers are chipped away to reveal the emotions she tries to hide.
She’s also a bit of a smartass, and I had some good giggles when
writing her lines.
What
is your favorite scene?
Ooh,
this one’s tough. There’s a scene near the end that’s both sexy
and heart-wrenching (where the reader knows something isn’t quite
right, but the main character doesn’t), but I don’t want to give
away any spoilers! Other than that, the second time Ro and Callum
have sex is one of my favorite erotic scenes. There’s all sorts of
teasing and struggling for the upper hand in the relationship before
everything finally explodes. I, uh, may have had to put the laptop
down and fetch my husband in the midst of writing it….
Do
you have any other projects in the works?
Always!
I’m working on the final chapter of the sequel to my first novella,
Searching
the Skies.
(The sequel is still unnamed. I need to get on that.) I also have the
first few chapters done of my first venture into lesbian erotica. On
top of that, I’m also planning on self-pubbing a few short stories
through Smashwords that I need to finish editing.
What
is the best writing advice you have ever received?
Only
use adverbs when they alter the implied meaning of the verb, or, in
the case of “said”, the implication of the dialogue. Examples:
“Look
at her. She’s so pretty!” Jane whispered softly.
“Whisper”
already implies “softly”. Take that adverb out!
“Look
at her. She’s so pretty!” Jane loudly shrieked.
Same
with loud shrieks. Delete!
“Look
at her. She’s so pretty!” Jane said adoringly.
This
is subjective, of course, but for me, the dialogue already implies
“adoringly”, so I’d remove it.
“Look
at her. She’s so pretty!” Jane said harshly.
Also
subjective, but here, the adverb changes how the reader might hear
the dialogue in his/her head. Though context is key, I’d probably
leave the adverb in here.
What
did you teach when you were an educator?
Music,
actually. Mostly band, but I sang when I had to. Somehow, music
hasn’t yet played an important role in my writings. Maybe someday!
What
messages do you hope to send with your writing?
Sex
is a vital part of life, and I enjoy fiction reflecting that. I hope
to write stories with detailed plots that don’t just resort to the
“fade to black” when the characters enter the bedroom.
What
are you reading right now?
I
haven’t started it yet, but Tina Fey’s Bossypants
is next on my list.
What
is your favorite role-playing game?
Do
I only get to pick one? If you’re holding a gun to my head and
forcing me to make a decision, I’ll go with the Phantasy
Star
series. (The first game of the series is my favorite
favorite!)
If you’re a fan of old-school games and have never played, I
strongly suggest checking it out!
If
you could go 100 years into the future, would you?
Nah,
I’m happy with the way things are right now.
What
is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?
Most
of my closest friends are men. This has offered some interesting
benefits to my writing – as men typically are more turned on by
visual depictions of sex, rather than reading it, their feedback
really lets me know if my titillating writings are effective!
Anything
else you would like to share?
Thanks
for reading this interview and checking out my latest release! If
you’re not sure about committing to a full-length novel, I have a
set of erotic prequels available for FREE at Smashwords
(https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/279206)
that introduce the characters and the setting.
Thank you for your time!
About
the Author
Thea Landen lives in New
York with her husband and a variety of houseplants. A former
educator, she strives to encourage creativity and passion in all
those around her, and uses writing to help inspire. Though she reads
and writes in nearly all genres, she has a special fondness for
science fiction and fantasy and anything that pushes the imagination
beyond its usual limits. When she’s not writing, or thinking about
writing, her hands and mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or
role-playing games.
Connect
with Thea Landen
Website/Blog:
http://thealanden.blogspot.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thealanden
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TheaLanden
Disintegration
by
Thea
Landen
Erotic
Fantasy/Futuristic Romance
Categories:
Action/Adventure
Publisher:
Carnal
Desires/Double Dragon Publishing
Release
Date:
January 28, 2013
Heat
Level:
Sizzling
Word
Count:
53,000
Blurb
Dutiful soldier Callum
Renwick wakes up in the underground laboratory of a mercenary
organization. He learns he was the sole survivor of an attack that
destroyed his unit, his hometown, and his family. In addition to the
loss of his loved ones, he discovers that due to his injuries, half
his body has been supplanted by artificial skin and cybernetic parts.
Once he has recovered, he is assigned to the care of Ro Bernard, who
leads the effort to turn him into a powerful assassin. She is
outspoken, yet secretive, and uses unconventional means to mold him
into a depraved killer. Mind games and rough sex are in her
repertoire of training tactics, and Callum is both infuriated and
fascinated by her. As he comes to terms with his grief and his new
role, many of his biological body parts fail and must be replaced.
Will he adapt to survive in Ro’s world and exact vengeance on the
woman who ordered the attack that changed his life?
Warning: This title is
intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex
scenes and/or situations and adult language, and may be considered
offensive to some readers.
Read an excerpt:
Her eyebrow flicked up in response to his snide tone. “Don’t sell yourself short. I admit to being curious as to the various ways your…condition makes you different. But I liked what I saw in our initial training sessions. It’s been a while since anyone’s actually impressed me.” The trademark smirk made its appearance again. “And don’t forget, we’ve already been on top of each other.”Callum didn’t know what to make of her candid statements. Nor could he ignore the memory that flashed through him for a moment of her legs wrapped around his body. “Do you treat everything so casually?” he asked.“You ask too many questions.” She sighed and shook her head, further mussing the brown spikes of her hair. “It’s just sex, Callum. It doesn’t have to be that complicated. I’ve made it known that I’m attracted to you, and you can do whatever you want with that information. Fucking me doesn’t mean we’re in love, or that I’ll expect anything from you the next day.”Silence ensued. Ro stood up. “Well, I didn’t mean to take up so much of your time. Enjoy the extra hour or so of sleep. If you need me for anything….” Her sentence went unfinished as she walked towards the door and opened it.Callum stood up as well, and turned away from her. He remembered her fingers on his skin, and how it had made him feel whole again. The fleeting thrill conflicted with thoughts of how Meyta used to touch him, and sorrow stabbed at him once more. He struggled with the opposing emotions. The desire to cling to what he had left won out. “Ro…wait.”Her bare feet stopped moving across the floor. Without facing her, he spoke again. “Since waking up here, I haven’t given a lot of thought to…certain things. I don’t even know the extent to which my injuries or the resulting modifications to my body affected….”The door clicked shut. “Is that all you’re worried about?” she asked.“It’s high on the list. Don’t you think it’s rather important?” He risked a glance at her.She was leaning against the closed door, hands tucked behind her back. Her lips curled into a coy smile, and she peered at him through her messy hair. “Only one way to find out,” she said.
Buy links: Amazon \ Double Dragon Publishing \ Lulu
Giveaway Info:
Prize is 5 eBooks copies of any title from author's back list (winner's choice; 1 each to 5 winners) PLUS swag (magnets). Contest is tour-wide, open internationally and ends Apr 13. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway