Meet Thea Landen, author of 'Disintegration'

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