Friday, February 28, 2014

SPOTLIGHT ON STEPHANIE JULIAN ( Liberty States Fiction Writers, Create Something Magical Conference Author) & Giveaway

WELCOME TO BOOK OBSESSED CHICKS SPOTLIGHT ON AUTHOR STEPHANIE JULIAN. FIRST I HAVE TO SAY THAT I ADORE THIS LADY. I WAS INTRODUCED TO THIS TALENTED AUTHOR A FEW YEARS AGO AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT MY ENTIRE GROUP OF BOC LADIES LOVE HER. SHE ALWAYS HAS A SMILE ON, IS ALWAYS SO INFORMATIVE AND LOVES WHAT SHE DOES, AND SHE EVEN HELPS MAKE EMPANADAS WHEN NEEDED. 

Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi, I’m Stephanie Julian and I’m an erotic romance writer.  I’m married to a great guy, have two sons who are growing into men way too fast and I spend most of my days sitting in front of a screen typing and dreaming. Life’s pretty good.

When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?

It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be, except for a brief period in third grade when I wanted to be an archeologist and dig up ruins in Italy. I’ve been a professional writer since graduating from college when I got a job at a newspaper. I left after seven years full time to freelance and that’s when I started writing romance.

Tell us about your upcoming work?

Over Exposed is the third book in the Salon Games erotic romance series.

When the cameras are off, the real action begins.

Greg Hicks is a Hollywood power player. For years he’s enjoyed the perks that come with being a top director and producer: the influence, the wealth…the women. But none of his many conquests have ever possessed the incredible sensuality of the young woman he once watched lose all inhibition in front of his camera.

Sabrina Rodriquez’s life is far from a Hollywood dream. Refusing to make the same mistakes as her unlucky-in-love mother, she’s focused on her first real job and avoiding all distractions, especially those of the male variety. Yet a man as compelling as Greg is difficult to ignore. And the desires he awakens are even harder to quench.

While a winter storm rages, a night at Haven Retreat leaves Sabrina’s and Greg’s temperatures rising. As Greg introduces Sabrina to the pleasures of voyeurism and exhibition, she unleashes his most decadent passions—and his creativity. But having Sabrina as a muse isn’t enough. He wants her to take a starring role in his bed…and in his heart.



Do you have any mentors? Heroes?

I’ve been a reader nearly all my life. I started when I was five and haven’t looked back. The writers who made me want to become one include Laura Ingalls Wilder and Carolyn Keene, HP Lovecraft and Stephen King, Kathleen Woodiwiss and Bertrice Small.

Can you tell us your favorite character from your books so far and why?

The one I’m writing right now. Seriously. I believe you have to be in love with your hero(es) to write a good romance so whoever I’m writing now is the one I love the most.  And right now I’m writing Tristan and Adam, two very hot Alphas. Tristan has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and Adam…well, Adam is a hard ass.

Was it difficult for you to get published?

Absolutely. I spend four years writing and submitting and revising and getting rejected before I sold my first book 11 years ago. I had a few near misses, which break your heart, before I sold two sweet romances to Avalon. Then I totally changed direction a few years later and sold an erotic romance to Ellora’s Cave and I haven’t looked back.

Who are your favorite authors/reads?

The writers on my autobuy list include Nalini Singh, Lora Leigh, Abigail Roux and JR Ward.
  
Hobbies?

Reading. Running. Riding bikes (the foot-power kind) and watching Reading Royals hockey with my hubby. Music. Hard rock concerts where you’re out of place if you don’t have a tattoo. Broadway shows with my mom. Reader cons. And more reading.

Tell us a bit about your workshop(s) at the conference?

For the serious part of the day, I’m doing the Ultimate Submission workshop with Judi Fennell breaking down the dreaded queries and synopses. For the fun part of the day, I’m doing three reader panels: Building the Alpha Hero, Romance Family Feud and Dirty Pictionary.

 Do you have any favorite TV shows?

I watch a crapton of TV. Like, every night my DVR gets a workout. This season, I’m loving The Blacklist and SHIELD and the Walking Dead and Arrow and TeenWolf (oh Stiles, I love you. And Daddy Argent, be still my heart) and Castle and Community and The Neighbors and, oh my God, I’m loving Bitten, the show based on Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series. I also love Girls and True Detective and Supernatural (I’m a Dean girl, all the way) and Justified and Lost Girl and who would have ever thought Ichabod Crane would be hot, thank you so much Sleepy Hollow. And how can I forget Dancing With the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, Finding Bigfoot, Faceoff, Ancient Aliens and Unearthing America. And when I’m not watching one of those, I’m watching hockey. I did say I watched a crapton of TV.

What’s next for you?

The third book in my Salon Games series will be released in July. Over Exposed is Greg’s story and, wow, I love Greg. He’s one of my all-time favorite guys. He’s got a dirty mouth and he’s a little older and a little more confident and he’s wonderful. In June, I’m planning for the release of my next Indecent serial, An Indecent Affair, so keep an eye out for that. And later this year, I’ll have a new Forgotten Goddesses book. And maybe even a new Lovers on the Fringe.

What would you like readers to know about you?

You can find me at all hours on Facebook (even when I shouldn’t be there) at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Julian/52545546702 and I love Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/stephaniejulian/. Check out my Stuck in the Middle board (yummy). I love to go to cons and talk to readers and talk books so I hope to see you all at one!

Hey all, don't forget to either comment here or over at the Book Obsessed Chicks Facebook Page for a chance to win any digital copy of Stephanie's backlist...... 

4 comments:

  1. I have totally enjoyed Stephanie's books, especially her DeMarco Investigations series and her Magical Seduction series. Also from personal experience I can honestly tell you that Stephanie is one very classy lady.

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  2. I have read Stephanie's goddess books and loved them. I am looking forward to reading more. Just have to get the TBR pile down some. Looking forward to seeing you again at Liberty States. It is always a pleasure seeing and talking to you.

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  3. Stephanie is a new author to me. The book sounds good.

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  4. Wow! Stephanie sounds like an awesome lady! I can't wait to check her books out! My hanks for the fun contest!

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