What is one of your favorite things about writing?
I like it when I know what I’m writing. What I mean by that is, when I know the characters, when I know what I want to do with a scene, and it’s playing out in my head and I’m just transcribing what I’m seeing. Particularly when there’s a music soundtrack to it. I like those moments when it just all falls right into place and the words flow.
What is one of your favorite ways to learn about your characters?
I make playlists for my characters. I’ll hear just the right piece of music and sometimes it will tell me a lot about the character…or unveil an entire scene in my mind.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Many of my stories come from dreams that I’ve had. Often the scenes, the characters, even the whole arc of the plot will be right there before me. There is still a lot of work to writing, but I often feel like I’ve already been inside of the minds of many of my characters. Some of my other stories have come from an idle moment of wondering “what if.” “What if there were two sexy werewolves in the catering kitchen….”
What do you like best about writing erotic romance?
I think that sex is one of the times when we are the most vulnerable. There are all sorts of different ways that people have baggage and issues, and sex is certainly one of them. If you’ve had sex in the pat that wasn’t good, or if you haven’t had sex and feel like you’ve been rejected, that’s going to impact the next time you’re with a lover. I think that during sex, a lot of our core interpersonal issues crop up. Sex can either be really healing—or, it can ratchet up the tension on our own issues and issues within a relationship.
In erotic romance, I don’t have to close the door on that. I don’t have to mince words. I can write about the really hot, sexy scenes that reveal more about a character than I could in any other way. I can write about them when they are at their most vulnerable. So for me it’s both about turning people on, but also understanding the characters at a deeper level.
Would you tell us about Werewolves in the Kitchen?
Werewolves in the Kitchen is a paranormal romance, and also a M/F/M ménage.
Blurb: When Ellie moved to the SpiralStone retreat center to figure out her life, she expected peace, quiet, and spiritual practice. She had no idea that the two sexy men running the kitchen would seduce her…much less at the same time. Kyle and Jake turn out to be wilder than they seem and Ellie finds herself wrapped up in devastating magic. She must choose: stay with Jake and Kyle and risk who she has been, accepting the dangerous world of shapeshifters? Or leave them and risk madness, or worse?
If the main characters in Werewolves in the Kitchen were invited to a masquerade party, what costumes would they wear?
Ellie would certainly feel obliged to dress up as Little Red Riding Hood. In turn, Kyle and Jake would definitely dress up as old-school wolfman-style werewolves.
What are you working on now?
I’m always working on a half dozen projects at once. I’ve just finished up a paranormal romance, The Truth Upon Her Lips. Kade is a wereleopard, and Sonya discovers that she holds Truthspeaker magic, but she’s under a Faerie curse. Things get dark pretty fast as they try to find out who is trying to kill her.
I’m working to finish a couple of short stories including a freebie story about Jake, Kyle, and Ellie. I’m also working on a novel-length a sequel to Werewolves in the Kitchen called A Golden Heart of Glass which focuses on some of the other characters who live at the SpiralStone retreat center.
Would you give us a sneak peek at one of your upcoming releases?
A Fading Amaranth is a novella about Nathaniel, a vampire who has lost his muse, and Alexandra, a woman whose psychic abilities have made it impossible for her to be close to anyone. As they grow closer, a Faerie monster begins stalking the streets of Chicago, and they unwittingly get snared in a battle with some of the city’s mage guardians.
What are a few of your favorite book covers that have been done for your books?
I’m also a graphic designer and an artist, so I have the benefit of getting to do most of my covers. I did the cover for Werewolves in the Kitchen, A Winter Knight’s Vigil, and The White Dress, the Autumn Leaves, as well as several of my nonfiction books.
What are your favorite genres to read and write?
I grew up reading a lot of epic fantasy, and later urban fantasy. Lately I’ve mostly been reading paranormal romance. Currently my published work is paranormal romance and urban fantasy, but I have a lot of epic fantasy on the way too. A lot of those stories are still going to have erotic elements to them, so my writing sort of hits the gray area between those genres.
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
If I’m not writing I’m painting or planning events. Or reading, when I have the time or my brain is just burned out on other projects.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing fiction since the third grade, but I started my first novel when I was 12.
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
Usually I’m listening to music. I can write any time of the day, but it depends on what else is going on. Often I get my best work done at night, however, if I’m really on a roll with writing or a painting I’ll wake up and dive right into the work.
Do you have an excerpt from Werewolves in the Kitchen to share?
Ellie looked up, surprised by the sudden silence in the room, and her jaw dropped a little. The two men were suddenly looking at her like hungry wolves. Ellie felt like a cornered deer and actually backed up against the washer.
Kyle stepped closer and drew the silk up to his nose. “Hmmm, not sure,” he said, and moved in to her side, scenting her hair. “Seems to smell more like you. Jake?” He looked up, and the men shared some look between them.
Ellie was tongue-tied. They had to be teasing her.
Jake moved in front of her, and she trembled as he sniffed her hair band and then her hair. “Yes, definitely like you.”
“Yes,” Kyle murmured, nuzzling her neck. She was panting. Kyle growled and pulled back. “I don’t want to pressure you.”
“We don’t want you to feel like you have to.”
Ellie made a soft sound. Words wouldn’t come.
“Are you ok?”
“Do you want us to stop?” Jake murmured. She shook her head and then gasped when Kyle kissed her neck. Jake stroked her cheek and kissed her lips gently at first, and when she moaned he pulled her closer. Kyle lapped at her neck, nipping now, slipping his hands over her breasts, and Jake was making love to her mouth with deep velvet strokes of his tongue.
She moaned weakly feeling Kyle behind her, his hard heat rubbing against her buttocks, and felt Jake in front of her, pulling her close against his hips. Kyle slipped his fingers into her shirt to tease at her nipples, and she leaned back against him, bucking into his touch. Kyle drew the straps of her cami-top down even as Jake started dragging her shirt up.
She pulled back to breathe, and Jake stroked her cheek, nibbling at the other side of her neck. “Guys…I need a shower….”
Kyle chuckled, lifting his head. “Not like we haven’t been baking in our own juices; we can take care of that. Come with us.”
“Come with you?”
“To our room,” Jake whispered into her ear, and she moaned, closing her eyes. “Come on,” they urged, drawing her to the stairs.
“But…I…” Ellie shook her head. “Why now?” Kyle turned her to face him.
“We both wanted you, but we didn’t want to scare you.”
“I saw you watching us. Don’t you desire us?”
“Oh yes, but I thought you two were…that is…didn’t think you’d want….”
Kyle kissed her deeply. “I want you. Jake wants you. We’ve been trying not to crowd you, but well…”
“You didn’t seem to get our signals.” Jake sucked hard on her neck.
“I just thought you were being nice.”
“Oh we were being nice,” Kyle grinned. “We’re going to be nicer. Come on.” He shut the washer.
To buy Werewolves in the Kitchen:
Jupiter Gardens Press: http://jupitergardenspress.com/shop/werewolves-in-the-kitchen
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Werewolves-Kitchen-Shauna-Aura-Knight-ebook/dp/B00HVJMUSI
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/werewolves-in-the-kitchen-shauna-aura-knight/1118063246
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-werewolvesinthekitchen-1396618-340.html
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/398121
Author Information:
Shauna Aura Knight is an artist, author, and presenter. Her work is inspired by the mythic stories of heroes and magic. She’s a fantasy artist and author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy including Werewolves in the Kitchen, A Winter Knight’s Vigil, and The White Dress, the Autumn Leaves. Her mythic artwork and designs are used for magazine covers, book covers, and illustrations.
She travels nationally offering intensive education in the transformative arts of community leadership, facilitation, and personal transformation, and is the author of numerous articles and books on those subjects.
Where can we visit you online?
Web Site: http://www.shaunaauraknight.com
Fiction Blog: https://shaunaknightauthorartist.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaunaKnightAuthorArtist
Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/shaunaaknight
Thanks so much for hosting me! 🙂