Monday, April 19, 2010

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR ADELE DUBOIS

Welcome to Passion Sense. Today I have Ellora’s Cave author Adele Dubois as a guest. To celebrate her latest release, DO ME GOOD from Ellora's Cave on April 14th, Adele agreed to do an interview.

Adele, can you tell us a little about DO ME GOOD?

I loved writing this story and hope readers enjoy it too. Here’s a summary:

DO ME GOOD by Adele Dubois

Penny throws her hot, but worthless mooch of a boyfriend out on her front lawn with his clothes, and vows never again to be a bum magnet. Exhausted by overwork and mountainous debt, Penny pleads for divine intervention.

Gunnar, a rebellious Nordic warrior cast into servitude by an angry god to learn humility, answers. While Penny sleeps, the celestial arrives to complete her chores, but she awakens and finds him. The handsome immortal kisses her, sparking a passionate, forbidden sexual encounter.

Dark forces seeking vengeance for Gunnar’s past misdeeds mark Penny as a target. To protect his lover, Gunnar tests immortality in a death battle using a god’s magical sword. But the strength of Penny’s love and passion might be what saves them both.

http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8301-50-do-me-good.aspx


Do you have a character in one of your books that continues to haunt you at night or who surprised you when you wrote the book?

I had no idea when I started researching Norse mythology and Nordic Light Elves for DO ME GOOD that Gunnar would transform into such an interesting, multi-layered character. I admit I’ve developed quite a crush on him. He’s my total fantasy hero.

What's the best and worst part of being a writer?

The best part about being a full-time writer is the freedom to work whatever hours I choose. I do my best writing early in the morning until early afternoon. I break for lunch and then work again for a couple of hours. As I tire in the early evening and at night, I work on promotion and answer email. I put in a lot of hours, but take pride in the results when readers and reviewers say they love my stories.

The worst part? For me it’s the back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by long hours at the computer. I haven’t found a product yet that eliminates the stress on my joints and muscles while I work. The physical challenges limit my productivity more often than the creative challenges.

What specific piece of advice would you give a would-be writer trying to kick start a career?

If you have the ability to write a compelling story, work on your book even if your life is filled with conflicting demands. Make time. Don’t put it off. Once the book is finished polish, polish, polish until it’s absolutely perfect. Submit to agents and editors only after you’re sure the book is the best it can be. Be professional right from the start.

What books or authors have influenced your writing?

My local chapter of Romance Writers of America honors one member for outstanding volunteer service each year with the Susan Wiggs Award. When I received my first nomination, six years ago, I hadn’t read a Susan Wiggs novel. Since I’d been nominated for an award in her name, I decided I should become familiar with her work. I bought a few of her books and fell in love with her writing. Her stories and deep characterizations are amazing. She has become one of my favorite authors. Susan Wiggs taught me the power of character-driven plots.

With each of my books, I strive to create relatable characters. When a review site said, “Adele Dubois’ characters are endearing”, I knew I was on the right track.

Do your books have a particular theme or premise?

Regardless of the sub-genre, my stories feature everyday heroes and heroines who face extraordinary circumstances in their ordinary world. I like to write about average people in a contemporary setting whose lives are turned upside down. Even if the story has paranormal elements, my stories are woven with that common thread.

Do you have a favorite hero/heroine?

I think Laurell K. Hamilton’s character, Anita Blake, is one of the best fictional heroines ever written. J.D. Robb’s futuristic character Eve Dallas is terrific too. I also like Modesty Blaise, who might be the first mainstream kick-ass heroine ever created. The Modesty Blaise series by Peter O’ Donnell was published beginning in 1965 in England. I’m the proud owner of the series of vintage Modesty Blaise paperbacks. Those books are some of my most prized possessions.

Would you like to share something surprising about you that not many people know?

Hmm. I think the fact that I write erotic romance novels and that my favorite thing to do outside the house is drive my convertible with the top down says a lot about me as a woman. When I’m not writing stories or driving my car my life is very, very ordinary.

Thank you for inviting me to chat with you and your readers, Kathy! I hope you enjoy reading DO ME GOOD.
Thanks for being my guest Adele. I recommend the readers to check out your website and blog. You always have interesting topics posted and usually a hunky guy or two. And there's more information about your fabulous books.

http://www.adeledubois.com/
www.adeledubois.com/blog

Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8301-50-do-me-good.aspx

5 comments:

J Hali Steele said...

Hi Adele, nice interview, and Do Me Good sounds wonderful! "Make time"--great advice for any writer to follow.

Good luck with sales.

Unknown said...

Great interview. Do Me Good sounds like a very interesting read. Adding it to my TBR pile.

Lise said...

A great, fun post, ladies! I think that no matter where in the galaxy, or history, our characters come from, they are grounded and made real for readers by having humanity (in a word). Especially in erotic romance where the fine line must be walked between great sex with wonderfully human characters and characters who suffer in their creation by too much attention on the sexual gymnastics and not enough on making them whole and immediate "people" (be they elves or shifters or buccaneers!) I love the sound of the world you have created and can see that I have to be more energetic in purchasing your books. Anyone who loves Anita Blake and read Modesty Blaise is my kind of kick-ass gal! Keep riding with the top down!

Adele Dubois said...

J Hali--Thank you for your kind comments and for your visit.

Amber--I hope you enjoy DO ME GOOD. Thank you for visiting and posting.

Lise--Your comments made my day. Thank you for your enthusiastic support. I hope you enjoy my books. Keep in touch and lmk!

Best--Adele Dubois

Kathy Kulig said...

Thanks J, Amber and Lise for stopping by. DO ME GOOD sounds like an awesome book. Immortals and mortal mixing it up is my kind of story. The weather is almost warm enough to enjoy the convert.