Meet author Chandra Ryan. Get to know her and her latest book 'Ulterior Motives.'
What was the inspiration behind 'Ulterior Motives'?
I was reading a lot of mail order bride stories at the time and they were just so much fun to read, I wanted to try my hand at one. I thought one set in the future on a settler planet would be an interesting twist but every time I tried to write it I just couldn’t. Something wasn’t right. As I thought about it being futuristic, the idea of having a mail order groom just started to make more and more sense. It wasn’t until I gave Jasper an ulterior motive for answering the ad, though, that the story really started to take shape.
Which character was the most fun to write?
The doctor. He’s just a secondary character but he came to life as I wrote him. He’s funny but down to earth in a way any doctor on a settler planet would have to be. Plus, he’s got more vices than any doctor of his age really should and that’s always fun.
Which scene is your favorite?
That’s a hard one for me. Kind of like asking which kid is my favorite. Hmmm…I’d have to say the scene Jasper is talking to the doctor about Kat’s recovery, though. Those men are too funny when you put them together.
What kind of research did you need to do for this book?
The best kind of research! I watched Firefly and I binged on western books and, of course, more mail order bride books. I loved researching for this book so much, that I might just do it all over again in the near future.
Will we ever see these characters again?
You definitely see Jasper. He makes an appearance in the second book of this series, Shared Objectives. And, if I were a betting woman, I’d bet that isn’t the last time we see him either. He might just become a very important person in the future of this universe by the time it’s all said and done.
What makes science fiction a good fit for erotica?
There really are no boundaries or set rules in science fiction. If you can dream it up, you can make it happen. I think that works really well for erotica since the same can be said for that genre as well. They compliment each other really well that way.
What is the appeal of writing in this genre?
My own imagination is the only thing that limits me. I can take a story wherever I feel it needs to go and push the characters in ways that aren’t possible in other genres. If I can imagine it, I can make a way for it to become true on paper.
How does your background in psychology influence your writing?
I’d like to think it helps me write more believable and deeper characters. The reason I studied psychology was that people fascinated me. You take one hundred people, put them in exactly the same situation and they’ll come up with one hundred different ways to respond. And each of them would probably swear there was no other way to deal with that particular situation. What is truly interesting is, they’re probably right. Each person could come up with a different response because
that was the only one that would work for them.
Please tell us about your other published books.
I have two fantasy romance stories out with Samhain Publishing, Dragonborne and Ravenborne. Dragonborne is about a dragon shifter who is shot down while in flight and the human healer who rescues him. When she finds out there are malevolent forces killing the children in her village, it’s his turn to come to the rescue.
Ravenborne takes place in the same world hundreds of years later. In it, a young royal woman who was cast out of society when her family’s home is raided and her family is slaughtered, is called to serve the king as his spy. She has developed the gift of telepathy and the king would rather see it used to help him rather than over throw him. When she falls for the knight the king sent to accompany her and learns who set up the raid on her family home, she has to make some hard decisions.
Then I have two urban fantasies with Ellora’s Cave, Ink in the Blood and Bond Betrayed. They feature two sisters who have magic in their blood but were abandoned by their people, the Community, because they feared the girls’ father. Being raised in human foster care, they’ve both struggled to find their place in the world.
Ink in the Blood is Izzy’s story. She’s a recovering addict who is after retribution for her years hooked on drugs. When she falls for the DEA agent assigned to her case, she knows she’s in trouble. He’s a human and has no idea she’s not.
Bond Betrayed is Nikki’s story. She’s a seductress and the one thing Isaac can use as leverage to get his sister back. He’s playing with fire, though. If he’s not careful, they’ll both get burned.
On what other projects are you currently working?
I just finished edits on the second book in the Universal Defiance series, Shared Objectives. I believe it’s going to be out in September. It’s my first ménage so I’m super excited. In it, two genetically altered soldiers have to figure out how to deal with their mutual attraction to a geneticist. Either she’ll bring them closer together or drive a wedge between them.
If you could travel to another planet, like the one in your book, would you do so?
I think I’d go for a visit, but I don’t think I could live on one. I’m a creature of comfort. I like being able to run to the store on a whim. And I love being able to buy a cup of overpriced coffee anytime I like. I can say without a doubt that Kat is a much stronger woman than I will ever be.
What can you be found doing when not reading or writing?
When I’m not reading or writing I’m usually outside. I love hiking and swimming. And, with two little boys, it’s good to be outdoors burning energy. Otherwise, they might have driven me crazy a long time ago.
What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?
My mom and sister are both very, very Christian. I was raised Christian and still am. But I’m married to a Vedantic and we’re raising our children in a dual-faith home. We both respect each other’s religion so it’s actually a lot easier than most people think. And I think that respect and love has really helped our children have a deeper spirituality.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I want to thank you for having me on your blog today. I really enjoyed the interview and being able to
talk to all your guests about my story.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Being from a rather nomadic family, Chandra Ryan loves to travel and meet people. But she’s found that sometimes, like when you’re stuck inside because of a good old-fashioned Southwestern heat wave, you have to make do. Fortunately for her and her loving family, who don’t like seeing her suffer from cabin fever, she’s found creating new people and places equally as fascinating. Also, you’re a lot less likely to spill your ice tea.
Ulterior Motives
by Chandra Ryan
BLURB:
Universal Defiance, Book One
On a rural settler planet, Kat must resort to putting out an ad to find a husband. She doesn’t expect to find love—that’s a dream in these parts—just a partner to help work her ranch. Then the devastatingly handsome Jasper answers her ad and turns her on in ways she never dreamed possible. Too bad he’s not who he says he is.
Jasper doesn’t know what he’s getting into when he ventures undercover to investigate a legal claim against Kat’s ranch. But after a toe-curling night under her roof and in her bed, he’s willing to do anything to stay there. He can’t say no to the tough-as-nails businesswoman who makes his body come alive.
When people start getting hurt, though, both Kat and Jasper have to decide how valuable one piece of land is. And the ranch that brought them together might be the very thing standing between them.
Read an excerpt:
“Excuse me, sir.” Her calm words broke through the chaos of the port station and gained his undivided attention. This close to him, staring into his rich, brown eyes, her stomach began to churn with nerves. She quickly pushed through the sensation, though. She didn’t have the time for silliness. And it was the height of absurdity for her to be uncomfortable around her soon-to-be husband. “I’m Katarina Maxim. My friends call me Kat.”
She held her hand out to him in casual greeting as she tried not to fidget. She’d debated how to greet him as she’d driven to the station. A kiss seemed rather forward. But she did want him to feel welcomed. A handshake seemed like the best idea at the time. Now, as she waited for him to take her hand, she started second-guessing herself.
“Katarina, that’s a lovely name.”
She noted that he’d called her Katarina but tried not to let that color her first impression of him. She didn’t hate the name nor did she hate being called by it. It just didn’t fit her. Not anymore. Katarina sounded soft, delicate—refined, even. Like she’d been before her family had moved here. She could only hope that he didn’t see her as any of those things. If he did, he would be sorely disappointment when he got to know her better. “Kat. Only my mother called me by my full name,” she pressed.
“Kat it is.” His smile seemed genuine but his palm was as soft as new leather when he finally took hers. If he stayed, that would change. This planet demanded calluses and blisters. Her hands were proof of that.
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