Hi folks – Gwen here. Here’s how a recent IM conversation went between Sybil and myself:
- Gwen: Ooo. Noelle Mack. She did Sexy Beast and Perfect Kisses. All those pretty Aphrodisia covers.
- Sybil: Derr. Plus. Wolves. Purple cover. Hello? How can I NOT post this!
- Gwen: <–doesn’t care – Pretty mantitty.
- Sybil: GWEN! [Ed.:she’s snapping her fingers at me at this point, I’m sure] WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! Paranormal. Erotica. Your thing! Plus she’s letting us give away books to our readers!
- Gwen: <–fondle fondle – Pretty covers!
And that about sums up Sybil’s and my relationship. She (pusher) keeps me supplied in pretty mantitty, which I (addict) fondle and stroke, and for which I format posts (pimpage). Hey. It works.
On that note, Noelle Mack, author of the recently released Wild (Pack of St.James, Book 1), is interviewed by our push… uh… by Sybil:
First. THE burning question that must be answered… WHERE is your website? And why don’t you have one?
A. Three reasons: Am chicken. Was crazy-busy. Not a delegator. I was so immersed in writing a bunch of books in only two years (six single titles for Aphrodisia, five novellas for Aphrodisia and Brava, and now this new trilogy for Brava) that I never got around to it. And I have a pretty demanding job that I love and a long commute both ways. So, yes, I should have hired someone to do it for me, but I didn’t, operating under the irrational assumption that some fine day I would learn how to create a website myself and also learn to knit and rockclimb and calm down. Ha ha. Calming down would be the hardest thing on that list for me. Anyway, look for www.noellemack.info in August 2008. Or before.
How is this new trilogy for Brava different from your Aphrodisia titles?
Aphrodisias are much more focused on the sexual relationship, although there are plenty of Bravas just about that hot now. With THE PACK OF ST. JAMES, I loved the chance to develop a really interesting backstory and strong secondary characters and a much more involved plot. It was all great, but a lot more work. Writing a trilogy was something I had never done. You have to think forwards, backwards, and stay in the moment all at the same time.
Now it is only fair since this is your first interview. I ask you a question I have never asked another author before. I know… I promised I would go easy on you, this being your first time and all. But, to mark the moment, and so I can be THE first of many, many, MANY interviewers to ask you, can you please share with us… Where do you get your ideas?
I read a lot or listen to audiobooks and go through newspapers and obscure magazines on history and archeology and whatnot. And I’m a huge fan of 
imaginative literature in general. Elements in the PSJ novels were drawn from history and even turn-of-the-century book illustration. As far as the Roemi warrior ancestors of the Pack of St James, they were inspired by Kay Nielsen illustrations from a book of folktales that’s almost a hundred years old, EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON—I treasure my copy. One, The North Wind Went Over The Sea, was the model for the fierce, beautiful, nearly naked Roemi warrior that Vivienne sees in the magical book Kyril gives her. Later in the story, her sister looks at a romantic picture in it: that was based on Then He Took Her Home. Both the original illustrations can be seen at here.
I made up the name Roemi, though. It sounded vaguely Finnish-Russian-Laplander-y, but as far as I know it has no meaning. The name of the Pack’s nemesis, Volkodav, does mean something in Russian: literally, wolf killer. No, I don’t speak Russian and I’m not of Russian descent. I read it somewhere in an article about wolves returning to modern-day Russia.
Kay Nielsen’s incredibly beautiful work fell out of favor after the 1920s. He was Swedish, and I was fascinated to find out that he had started in theater design—his illustrations are haunting and elegant (and The North Wind Went Over The Sea is also erotic!) I have a background in theater, costume, and set design, so no wonder I was wowed by them. He did come to America and worked for Disney: he was the designer/illustrator of the “Night On Bald Mountain” sequence in FANTASIA.
Other things: the British Society of Merchant-Adventurers was real, and they began trading with the Russian empire in the 1600s, sailing through the Baltic and back, with a base in Archangel. I used really old maps to help create the scenes on London’s docks and by the banks of the Thames. Timber, etc., from Russia was unloaded on the south side. Some place names survive to the present day, some don’t. And ropemaker buildings–the book’s dramatic climax takes place in an imaginary one–were unique structures, extremely long because a ship’s massive ropes were hundreds of feet long and had to be severely twisted and tested. The setting was an ideal way to ensnare an evil villain!
Interesting. So what do you do for a living, when not ensnaring villains?
I work for a media company as a designer. Zippppppp—the sound of me not saying more. My nine-to-five and my fantasy life (meaning the books I write) are not something I mix.
Tell us something nifty?
I love what I do. My significant other – male – wishes I wouldn’t read so much, I guess. Significant kitties – both female – like to sleep on warm manuscripts hot out of the printer. I could take some lessons from them in calming down.
Thank you Noelle! That was fun and we shall do it again soon!
NOW, dear readers! Who wants to win something?
Comment here by midnight US Central (according to the blog timestamp) tomorrow night, Friday 29 Feb 08, with the name of your favorite Aphrodisia or Brava title/author and you could win one of twenty-five — that’s right, 25! — copies of Wild (Pack of St. James, Book 1) by Noelle Mack. Check with us late Saturday for the winners’ names.
Only one prize per IP address (no socks please), and you must comment with a book and author name to qualify.
Enjoy and good luck!
*sobbing* I’m out! *wail* I haven’t read any Brava *sniff*
*sniff*
*sniff*
You meanie duckies! :p
No Aphrodisia either?
My favorite has to be Passion for the Game by Sylvia Day. I liked the hero and the heroine. Both were strong characters.
*hanging head in shame* *wispering* no, no aphrodisia either *shuffling feet*
uh you could ask karen? bet she has 🙂
or uh wanna borrow one of my faves
*perking up* can I????? *bouncing* can I can I canI????
hmm soo many good books! One of my favs is Sexy Devil by Sasha White….hot, and the cover is to die for…I think it’s one of the best covers ever lol
I really enjoy Shannon McKenna and her McCloud series. I know some people are turned off by her writing style but I think they are great reads. Yeah, the guys can be overbearing and the heroine usually does indulge in some TSTL behaviour but I can’t stop reading! I’m addicted.
hey… pssstt… Standing in the Shadows by Shannon McKenna or Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye by EC Sheedy
::runs away::
*dutifully borrowing from Sybil*
(but if it doesn’t count, it’s okay, Gwen *melodramatic sigh* I’ll just be discriminated against because of my ignorance *sigh*)
Dude who makes the rules around here anyway? Why is everyone being so mean to me today? Dude I have like half the mind to raffle off the Anne Stuart I just got.
I’m sorry, got distracted by Anne Stuart speak. Why you mean to me? What did I do? You still have my address right?
The Stranger I Married Sylvia Day.
CindyS
I loved the Sexy Beast anthology and Sexy Beast II. They were awesome! I do have Nights in Black Satin on my tbr list and I just noticed this one at amazon, Nights In Black Leather. Love the cover! I will be looking for this one. Wild sounds great!
Hmmmm…that’s a hard choice, ladies. Okay, since it’s for a contest and you’re pulling my leg here, I would say Vonna Harper’s “Surrender”. Can’t go wrong in my mind with that classic!
Haha – ok, so this is going to be difficult. I love almost every book Brava comes out with. In fact, for a while when I was out of new books to read, I’d troll the library walking up and down the fiction shelves just looking for that “B.” If I had to pick one, well I can’t – but I’m going to go with Shannon McKenna. But, someone’s said her (and I can’t pick a favorite book by her…) – I also love the anthologies – so I’ll say “Turn Left at Sanity” by Nancy Warren. It was a ridiculously cute book, and I’d steal away and read it in the new physics research building on campus which was gorgeous, so it comes with good memories.
Oh wait – there’s more – you didn’t think I was done yet, did you? I’d heard of Susan Lyons a while ago, but never read her books until recently. I got “Champagne Rules” by Susan Lyons (this is the Aphrodisia) and I loved it. I read it in one day. I started around midnight and stayed up until 4-5 am to finish.) I’m definitely buying her other books too.
I have to go check which books I’ve read are actually Brava labels. 🙂
I love the Bad Boy books all the authors but it has to be one author and book… I’d go with Janelle Denison – Wilde Thing. 🙂
Ann M.
I have a whoooole lot of favourites…
Everything written by Shannon McKenna – Behind Closed Doors is my all time fave guilty pleasure!
Also ‘A Passion for Him’ by Sylvia Day (hawt!), ‘Without a Word’ by EC Sheedy, ‘Lord of the Deep’ by Dawn Thompson (bought for the cover but a great read) and ‘Nights in Black Satin’ by Noelle Mack which I read after winning a copy here. Thanks Sybil!!
Passion for the Game by Sylvia Day, my favorite of hers; waiting to get the sequel in the mail, hope it’s as good.
I also really enjoyed Susan Lyons series, Champagne Rules and Hot in Here and have the others to read now. Won one and liking it so I got another and keeping up with it now.
I have to agree with Sybil and Gwen. Wild: Paranormal. Erotic. Gorgeous, sexy purple cover. I’m sold. 🙂
I admit I haven’t read a ton of erotica, but it is fun to get pushed past my comfort zone. Blood Red by Sharon Page did that for me. So did The Vampire Queen’s Servant by Joey H. Hill. Not sure if that one is technically in the erotica genre… but it was for me!
Have several, plus a few more on the TBR list. Definitely Sasha White’s Aphrodisia anthology Lush comes to mind!
Ceremony of Seduction by Cassie Ryan. Tawney Taylor has a new book coming out in April that I am looking forward to- Dark Master. OOOh and Vonna Harper with some nice cowboy books…wow I could go on and on.
TVQS was most DEFINITELY erotica! And paranormal! And a wonderful romance!
And to all my fellow Sylvia Day Passion For the Game fans – how about that love scene on the settee, huh? Holy cow! The pages were smoking, that scene was so hot!
It’s times like this I love to be a romance fan! I LOVE LOVE new books. CanNOT wait to read Wild!
Favorite Brava Author is Pam Rosenthal. Loved her Almost a Gentleman and have Bookseller’s Daughter as well as her work under the alias of Molly Weatherfield in my TBR pile.
I haven’t read any Aphrodisia yet, but I have several Brava favorites. If I have to pick one, I love The Real Deal by Lucy Monroe, but I also like all the SG-5 by Allison Kent, Behind Closed Doors by Shannon Mckenna, the Bad Boys anthologies and Jingle Bell Rock, which is my favorite Christmas contemporary anthology. I also love Robin Schone and I think some of hers are Brava’s but I’m not sure.
🙂
I am a Brava/ Aphrodisia fan so I will name for one each:
Brava: Close Encounters of the sexy kind by Karen Kelley. This book is so sexy and hilarious fun.
Aphrodisia: Sin by Sharon Page
I could name so many more, there some really great books
Ermmm – never read an Aphrodisia or a Bravo. Guess I don’t qualify!
I loved Passion for the Game! But I really loved “Lucien’s Gamble” the most in Bad Boy’s Ahoy. Although Sebastain Blake (the pirate “Phoenix”) was pretty hot too. The scene on the table in his cabin was right up there!
I never added title in previous post. Sorry. My favourite would be “Edge of Midnight” by Shannon McKenna.
My favorite Brava novels are Alison Kent’s SG-5 series. I love those sexy guys.
Couple of books I totally loved;
Perfect Weapon by Amy Fetzer
The SG-5 series by Alison Kent
Edge of Midnight by Shannon McKenna
My favorite Aphrodisia books are Wolf Tales by Kate Douglas, especially volumes 1-3.
This is hard to choose. Behind Closed Doors by Shannon McKenna was probably one of the first books to set me on my path with erotic romance. It made a big impression on me.
Wait! I’ve read Standing in the Shadows, but that was in the days before I kept track of publishers and things!
Hi Nicole! I’ve been enjoying your books! Started right out with your historical one, THREE. So I’m so looking forward to more and would love to be in the contest!!
Its hard to have one favorite Aphrodisia or Brava title/author so I often go with the one I can recall from the top of my head because I have a shelf of keepers!
For Brava-ALMOST A GENTLEMAN by Pam Rosethal
For Aphrodisia- MADE FOR SIN by Celia May Hart
Makes me want to go see all thats coming out! Great again to chat with you
My favorites include: “Behind Closed Doors” by Shannon McKenna, “Come As You Are” by Amy Fetzer and “The Matchmaker” by Jamie Denton. Many of us have the same taste in books.
I have so many favorites, but I’ll go with the ones I’ve read recently and loved: (Aphrodisia) Body Moves by Jodi Lynn Copeland; Nights In Black Satin by Noelle Mack. Brava: Get A Clue by Jill Shalvis.
I read The Hard Stuff by Karin Tabke an Aphrodisia and a Brava would be Remain Silent by Jamie Denton.
Some of my favorite Aphrodisia/ Brava titles that come to mind:
Shannon McKenna and her McCloud series. (I love this series!)
Roped Heat / Vonna Harper
Sexy Devil/ Sasha White
Black Silk/Sharon Page
All Night Long/Melissa MacNeal
Ask for It / Sylvia Day
One Wicked Night & Nights in Black Satin / Noelle Mack
And Able by Lucy Monroe for Brava (I think). I read it during my first year in the United States and it has led to an ongoing like for all things Southern 🙂
Sexy Devil/ Sasha White
*bouncing in my chair* I lied, I lied!!!
I have Get a Clue by Jill Shalvis and Almost a Gentleman by Pam Rosenthal in my TBR mountain ( I just hadn’t noticed they are Brava *sheepish*)
I’m also a big Lucy Monroe Brava fan – with Ready, Willing & Able – all three. (I don’t like her newer 2 as much…) and Sylvia Day too – the Stranger I Married is the one I like the most thus far – that or Passion for the Game. And there’s also Erin McCarthy and her books- my favorite probably is Mouth to Mouth. Oh and I think someone mentioned Janelle Denison – Wilde Thing was my favorite too. I haven’t read as many Aphrodisia books.
WOOT! We have WINNERS!!!
Yooz in trubul now!
Sybil said:
Better go check here!!!!
I love your books they are one that i read over and over again. Keep up the good work.