Guest Author Day with Melissa Schroeder/Contest

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Hi Melissa…please make yourself at home here at Love Romances & More Reviews.

Hi! Thanks so much for having me!

Q: Please tell us a little about yourself.

Well, I am a military wife, at least for 2 and a half more years, with a couple of military brats and an adopted dog daughter.  Right now, I’m actually in the middle of a move from Virginia to Alabama.

Q: What got you interested in becoming an author? Was it something you always wanted to do or did the writing bug hit you fairly recently?

I think from about the time of my middle school years I wanted to write. I took a few creative writing courses in college.

Q: What comes first for you when you sit down to create a new book: Characters or the storyline?

Characters. I am a very character driven author. They always come to me first.

Q: Who are some of your favourite authors?

This would be very long if I listed everyone. First, I have to give props to Jayne Ann Krentz (and all her names), Nora Roberts, Lori Foster, Linda Howard, Julia Quinn, Christina Dodd, Stephanie Laurens and Julie Garwood. I started reading all these ladies inspired me to write romance.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your series ‘A Little…”. It is pretty popular with readers. What inspired it?

That one I actually came up with from a title. I thought A Little Harmless Sex would be a cool title. Then, Anna came to mind. From that, came a series, lol. I think the popularity comes from the characters. Each story is very unique. Some are BDSM, some are not, some have suspense. The characters of each book determine the tone of the book. In fact, A Little Harmless Submission will have a lot of suspense in it because the hero is a cop and the heroine is FBI.

Q: Tell us about your characters in your books. Who has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most stubborn?

I think that Anna and Daniel were my easiest pair. They were both so desperately in love with each other but afraid to say it. But, for some reason, their story just came flowing. Toughest character has got to be Evan from A Little Harmless Obsession. People wanted his story and they waited over two years for it. I wanted to make sure that I wrote it just right, but boy, he was tough. He only revealed his secrets to me little by little.

Q: What would we find if we came and looked in your closets?

Well, they are empty at the moment, ha! Usually, just a bunch of clothes I wear only at gunpoint. Shoes, and a lot of bags from conferences. Oh, and my secret stash of toys lol. I always seem to find books there also. Of course, I find them in every nook and cranny in my house when I have to move.

Q: What genre haven’t you tried yet but want to in the future?

I have started one, but only a couple chapters, but I want to finish a historical paranormal.

Q: What is your favorite way to unwind after a day of working, writing and other obligations?

Reading. I am a reader at heart and days without it I feel incomplete.

Q: What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels; do you find them difficult to write?

This depends on the characters. They are never easy and I usually spend more time reworking them than other scenes. I think because there are so many layers.  First, there are the mechanics. When reading over a rough draft, it is kind of funny some of the mistakes in my writing, lol. Then, you have to layer in the feelings, the emotions of whatever character POV you are in. And lastly, you have to make sure there was a reason for it. I don’t like love scenes just to fill in the space. I want it to move the journey forward, or cause conflict, something. There has to be a reason for it or it is gratuitous in my humble opinion.

Q: What do you have coming up next for you? Care to share any details with us?

Been really busy. A Little Harmless Addiction comes out June 7^th in digital from Samhain Publishing. I also have a short story that lets you get a peek at May and Evan after marriage called A Little Harmless Surprise. I have a futuristic coming out in September called The Last Detail, also from Samhain. At the moment, I am working on, you guessed it, the next Harmless book, A Little Harmless Submission.

Q: Where can we find you on the web?

I am all over the place, but mainly

www.melissaschroeder.net

www.melissaschroeder.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/melschroeder

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Schroeder/17997114885

Check out Melissa's Latest Release~The Spy Who Loved Her

Once Upon an Accident Book 3

Available HERE from Samhain Publishing

To keep her safe, he will not only have to risk his life, but also his heart.

Lady Anna was once considered the catch of the season. Now, three years after she fell for a man who tried to murder her cousin, she eases her guilt with charity work at an orphanage. Until her mother insists she do her duty.

Attending her cousin’s ball is irritating enough. It’s her one dance with Daniel, the unscrupulous Earl of Bridgerton, that rubs her nerves raw. And oddly leaves her senses on the edge of arousal. 

The ton sees Daniel as a scoundrel. In truth, like centuries of Bridgertons before him, he leads a vast network of spies, protecting England from her worst enemies. His resolve never to marry means the one woman he’s always wanted—Lady Anna—is off limits. Especially now that his father’s murderer is coming after him as well. 

At first, Anna wonders if Daniel was put on this earth just to annoy her. It’s only when she finds him injured that his mask begins to fall away—and so do the barriers between them. But their flaring passion puts her right where Daniel didn’t want her. Next on a killer’s list.

Warning: This book contains spies, musicales, men who think they know everything, women who know they do not, naughty liaisons, matchmaking mamas, and a seduction that will curl your toes.

Check out LR&M Reviews of Melissa's Books:

The Spy Who Loved Her

A Little Harmless Lie

A Little Harmless Obsession

Conquering India

Seducing the Saint