Guest Blogger Cerise Deland: Spies, Pirates and Body Guards, Oh My!

What’s a gal to do if she hails from D.C., lives now deep in the heart of Texas, travels often everywhere, and adores Paris, Florence, London, Tokyo and all points east and west? Is it any wonder that Cerise Deland is a fascinating lady and an amazing author? Just check out any of her books. If you like spies, pirates and body guards, and of course hot cowboys, you'll enjoy Cerise's books.
I'm thrilled to welcome Cerise to the Passion Sense Blog for an interview.
Cerise Deland

Thanks Cerise for joining us at the Passion Sense to talk about your latest release ROPE ME IN and other fun stuff.

- How did you get started writing novels?

While Cerise has been writing since 2009, her real life persona has done it for decades. YES! Cerise is someone else who writes not only mystery and historical romance, but also non-fiction! In fact, my other persona got her start writing freelance for major newspapers and magazines, then writing for the corporate world.

Now, why do I write erotic romance? Hmm. First, because I can and I love the new digital world business model. Secondly, because I have always wanted to write really sexy stuff! My editors in print were always toning me down and now, I can let loose behind closed doors. I strongly believe that every great love affair should have creative satisfying intimacy between lovers. It enhances the relationship and doing it on the floor or the stairs or on your dining room table is really a turn-on idea to me!

- A lot of people think that genre hopping isn’t a good idea. What do you think?

I think an author should write what is in her head. Period. This warning is an old cliché from editors and agents who wanted to corral an author, tie her hands and make her sweat for her spot on their limited list. (No fooling.)

And author needs to express herself and she should in any way she sees fit.

I myself need the break between contemporary, Regency and medieval. I was a history major in undergrad and my grad work was in Chinese and Japanese history. Plus I have lived abroad. Yes, I write about those marvelous places I have lived and visited but I feel those places and must write about them in the past and in the now!

- Which actor screams SEXY to you?

Zack Efron, sooooo very much younger than me, I could lick all over. Is he smart? A good conversationalist in real life? An attentive date? Or lover? I really do not want to know.

I just want him.

Aside from him?

Please give me Sean Connery as he was in the sixties. I can dress him in contemporary fashion. Give him to me.

Isn’t it interesting then, that most of my heroes are big beefy guys? Muscular but sculpted and so very THERE.

I must be schizo, huh?

- Do you use Beta readers?

Long ago with my manuscripts, I learned to please only two people. Me first. Then my editor. Occasionally, if I, as Cerise, am on a tight deadline I will ask one of my buddies in the Sassy Seven ( http://sassyseven.com ) to do a quick read for me. More often than not, this is my good friend Desiree Holt, whose dedication and productivity has been an inspiration to me!

- How did your life change after hitting the NYT?

I like this question and I want to answer it SOON!

Recently, one of my books hit the Amazon Top 30 List and so I have hopes of NYT!!!

- What’s next?

I am in the midst of edits on the second book in the KNIGHTS IN BLACK LEATHER cowboy-rancher series for EC. But after that, I am on to my short story for the SASSY SEVEN’s NAUGHTY SLEEPOVER series to be published by Decadent to celebrate our conference in February 2013 in San Antonio.

Then, it is the third in my medieval series, SWORDS OF PASSION, for Total-e-Bound Publishing. This one, BY HER COMMAND, stars a lady who has offended King John so blatantly that he has condemned her to death. Our hero, of course, saves her from John and herself!

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

Because my husband was in the Army (and I say I was, too!) and still serves as a DOD consultant, I know a lot about current challenges among our military and their families after a decade of war. Then too because our oldest son had a traumatic brain injury and suffered with rehab and side effects of it for many years before he passed away, I am also intimately aware and knowledgeable about PTSD among our troops. The future for these soldiers will mean a long road to recovery and we owe them the most dedicated, most sophisticated medical and psychiatric care possible for the rest of their lives.

THANKS for having me here! I love your books, Kathy and I am honored you asked me over!

Best,

Cerise

Come often at http://cerisedeland.blogspot.com

Nibble her cherries http://www.cerisedeland.com

Thanks for sharing, Cerise. Looks like I have a few more books to add to my NOOK. What are the readers' favorites? Please tell us.