Welcome Ms. Larissa Ione to Love Romances and More, thank you for joining us.
Thank you for having me!
Did you always want to become a writer?
Yep. From the time I could hold a pencil. I remember being a kid, and when someone would ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’d say, “A veterinarian.” But I’d say it while the pencil was in my hand and I was writing a story. I wanted to be a writer, but it seemed like an impossible dream. So I kept up with the other answers (veterinarian, CSI, coroner, doctor…) until The Call actually happened.
What is the most, and the least interesting fact about writing?
Hmm…that’s a tough one. I find so much about writing to be interesting – at least, so much about publishing. The cover-making process is fascinating. I just love seeing the mockups and then watching how the final product changes. Least interesting? The bazillions of steps that your manuscript takes from the time you turn it in. Revisions. Line edits. Copyedits. Galleys.
How did you celebrate your first release? What was it like to see your book in a bookstore? Do you have a special ritual for celebrating a book release?
I celebrated my first release with a nice dinner and a bottle of champagne! It was AMAZING seeing my book in a bookstore. I took pictures of it on the shelf. I couldn’t believe MY book was right there, next to REAL authors. But sadly, I don’t have a special ritual for each book release. I break out champagne for sales, though!
How did your family react to fact that you also write romance novels? Have your family read your books?
My family has been supportive since the beginning, since before I was published. They have always encouraged me, and yes, they read my books. Even the erotic Sydney Croft ones!
Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites?
Have any influenced your writing? I’m definitely an avid reader! If I’m not writing, I’m reading. I have SO many favorites…I’m lucky to belong to a group of authors at the Writeminded blog, because every one of them is a favorite. In addition, I adore a lot of non-romance authors, such as Robert Jordan, Sharon Kay Penman, George R. R. Martin…and yes, my earliest influences were Jack London, Sam Savitt, Stephen King.
Your characters come to life in your books. Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example? Do you have living role models for your characters?
You know, I don’t usually use living role models for my characters. Mainly because I end up confused. My characters develop into their own beings, and when I try to use a real person to base them on, I often end up forcing them into actions that don’t fit the person they want to be.
And yes, I think sometimes they do take over a little! Sometimes I get mad at something I see on TV and think, geez, I really need to send Wraith after that idiot. Then I have to remind myself that Wraith doesn’t exist. Which sucks.
Where do you get the inspirations for your books?
Pretty much everywhere! TV is a big one, but I also get ideas from just watching real life. The idea for Snowbound came about while I was on a ski trip. The idea for Flesh to Fantasy was inspired by a story prompt at a message board, which went something like, “What would you do if a package was delivered to you by mistake, you opened it, and it was full of sex toys?” So I pretty much get them from all over the place!
Do you find it difficult at times to write love scenes?
I don’t find the content difficult to write, but I do find it hard to make each scene fresh and avoid using the same phrasing. And honestly, I really have to be in the mood to write something graphic and detailed. It’s sometimes really hard to pay such close attention to every sensation, every feeling, and every knee and elbow!
What is your favorite book from the books that you have written so far? Who are your favorite hero and heroine, and why?
Oh, this is like asking me to pick a favorite child! LOL! Okay, I would say that my favorite Ione book is Passion Unleashed, which is Wraith’s book, the third in the Demonica series. Wraith had a long way to go to get his happily ever after, and it was very emotional and fun to be there for it. My favorite Croft book would be Seduced By The Storm, the third ACRO book. I just think it really brought everything together well, and Faith and Wyatt were a great couple.
Favorite hero and heroine? That’s tough, because I think Shade and Runa (Desire Unchained) were really perfect for each other…Runa brought Shade down to a “human” level that he needed. But Wraith and Serena from Passion Unleashed…well, I love them together, because she just threw so many curve balls at poor Wraith, and he when he falls for her, he falls hard. He needs her in a bad way.
My favorite Croft couple, hands-down, is Kira and Ender, from Unleashing The Storm. I adore Kira…her softness, her love of animals, her refusal to put up with Ender’s crap. And Ender is a great hero, because he’s hard, but he turns to mush for Kira. And only Kira.
Which book was the hardest to write and which the easiest?
The hardest was Eidolon’s book, Pleasure Unbound, because finding a balance between a hard but likable heroine, plus a doctor who was a demon, was challenging. The easiest was Wraith’s book, Passion Unleashed. But again, going back to the Croft books, Unleashing the Storm was the easiest of any book I’ve ever written. It wrote itself.
If you could change places with one character from your books, who would it be and why?
Serena, from Passion Unleashed. Because she gets Wraith.
If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?
I would love to visit medieval England. Mind you, I wouldn’t want to LIVE there. Just visit. I’m fascinated by all things medieval!
Do you listen to music while you are writing and if so what music is it?
Not usually. I prefer the TV for background noise.
If you could choose of your books for a movie, which one would it be and who would you as the cast?
Pleasure Unbound, though I think it would be better as a series rather than a movie. But cast? I really can’t come up with a cast. Probably has something to do with how I never use real life role models for my characters. I just can’t see anyone playing them.
Are you working on anything right now, and can you tell us a teaser about these projects?
I’m currently working on Demonica book 4, which is tentatively titled “Ecstasy Unveiled.” All I can say about it is that the hero is a new brother. *g* I’m also working on ACRO book 5 (Sydney Croft,) which is a lot of fun. Stephanie Tyler (my Croft writing partner) and I got to play with cryptozoology a lot, which is one of my passions. Chupacabras!
Thanks so much for having me as a guest! What great questions – I had fun! And if any of your readers would like a book, I’ll offer up a copy of any of my Demonica books, or, if they’ve read them all, I’ll offer instead a copy of Hot Nights, Dark Desires, an anthology with stories from Eden Bradley, Stephanie Tyler, and Sydney Croft.
Thanks again!!!!
Note about the contest: The winner will be drawn tomorrow, so please check back here if you are the lucky winner. You will have 7 days to contact me. Good luck, Danny
