What is one of your favorite things about writing?
The fantasy. I can make the world exactly the way I want it to be. I can have Christmas, Easter, my birthday, and the Fourth of July rolled up together and do that day after day. I can visit places so beautiful they don’t exist in reality. I can be a queen, an heiress, a Nineteenth Century lady of the nobility, or a chef at the top of my game. Most of all, I create the sexiest, most sensitive men and have them all fall hopelessly in love with me. What’s not to love?
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Definitely a pantser. When I started writing, I’d begin a book with two characters and an opening situation that threw them together. These days, I pitch and sell on proposal, so I have to write a synopsis, and I’m forced to plot. It’s extremely frustrating when people criticize something in the synopsis because I’m not sure if that will stay the same when I get to that part of the book. How can I know what’s going to happen if I haven’t written it yet? Not having to write the synopsis—or defend it—is one of the great pleasure of self-publishing. I’ll tell you what the book’s about when I’ve written it.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
In general in writing, if you wait until you’re in the mood, nothing will ever get written. You sit down at your computer at the appointed time and put words on the page. If the love scene is next, you write that. IMHO, discipline and self-motivation—aka work ethic—are the single most important trait you need to become a working writer.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
That it’s out today! Beauty Awakened is the third book in the Princes of Danislova series. All three of the heroes are princes of a small, Eastern European country I made up. (See what I said about the fantasy?) All of them fall in love with American women, and each story is based very loosely on a fairy tale.
The youngest prince, Ulrich, aka Rick, falls for a fiery Southern belle named Dixie Ann Beaumont. Dixie has relationship issues after a disastrous previous marriage. She and Rick have to work through problems with trust to reach their happy ending.
He book is super hot but not erotic.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the princes’ father’s story. As I wrote the first three books, my critique partners and I fell in love with the father, even though he’s well into his sixties. At least one of my readers has said she wants to read his story, so I decided to go for it. I hope to make it as sexy as his sons’ stories.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
I’ve included an excerpt at the end. Thanks for asking!
Where can we visit you online?
My website/blog is www.alicegaines.blogspot.com. Every Friday I post an x-rated excerpt at www.alicesexcerpts.blogspot.com. I’m Alice Gaines on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
I have a mailing list to let people know about my news and releases. If you’d like to be added, drop me an e-mail at authoralicegaines@gmail.com. Periodically I’ll raffle off my hand knitted and crocheted items. This month, the prize is a hand knitted cowl. I’ve attached a picture. You have to be on my mailing list to enter.
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
Knit and crochet. I do some gardening, mostly vegetables in the summer. I love to cook, especially my own vegetables. I have a collection of neglected orchids.
You might be surprised, given what I write, that I’m a member of a wonderful church. Everyone knows what I write and have no problem with it. My friend, Amber Belldene, and I have given a presentation at my church called “God and Sex: Not Such Strange Bedfellows.” It was very well received.
My other obsession is Oakland’s funky soul band, Tower of Power. They’ve been making the best dancing music on earth for almost fifty years, and I’m happy to say I can now call a few of them friends.
How long have you been writing?
I started writing in the Spring of 1990. They say you don’t get good at this until you’ve written a million words. I’ve done that.
Name three fictional characters (not your own) that you find hot. They can be from books, movies, or TV.
Mr. Darcy played by Colin Firth, just about anyone’s Mr. Rochester, Rhett Butler.
What is your favorite comfort food?
There is no food on earth more delicious than a really good homegrown tomato. That’s an orgasm for your mouth.
Do you have any pets?
I have a pet corn snake. He’s the sweetest little creature alive, and I love him to death. He tolerates me pretty well.
And now for the excerpt:
Chapter One
The youngest prince of Danislova was as cute as a bug. And he danced like a dream. So divinely, in fact, that Dixie Anne Beaumont allowed herself to snuggle into his embrace as he guided them around the dance floor.
In her travels, Dixie usually ran in pretty exalted circles. She’d met a few nobles in her day. Most were her daddy’s age. Some had tried to let their happy hands go exploring in places on her body she didn’t appreciate—advances she’d rebuffed by suggesting they’d lose a few fingers if they kept it up. None had interested her until this one. And if she could read his signals correctly, he was interested, too.
“How long are you staying in Danislova?” he said as he managed the exact distance between them to get nice and close but not close enough for others to disapprove.
“I hadn’t given it much thought beyond serving as my friend Casey’s bridesmaid. Or I guess I should say matron.”
His eyebrows went up. “Matron, not maid?”
“I was married for a time,” she said. “The worst five years of my life.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m rid of him now.” Phil, her asshole ex, had tried to ruin Casey’s chance at happiness. Dixie had intervened to save the day, and now she’d been part of a royal wedding party. Great fun all around.
“The men in my family don’t divorce,” the prince said.
“You don’t say. That’s as good a reason to stay single as I’ve ever heard.”
He laughed and pulled her an inch or two closer. “I like the way you think.”
“I like the way you dance, Your Highness.”
The spark of masculine interest entered his blue eyes again. He’d been sending signals since she first arrived for the rehearsal dinner. After a lifetime of flirting, minus the five years with Phil, Dixie knew how to send them back. Things were moving along smoothly.
“We know each other well enough to use first names, don’t you think?” he said.
Indeed. And they’d know each other more than well before she headed home. Maybe sooner rather than later. “I’m Dixie Anne, but my friends call me Dixie.”
“Only people who don’t know me call me Your Highness,” he answered. “And only my family uses my real name, Ulrich. I’m Rick to everyone else.”
The everyone else probably included a whole lot of women. He stood tall and wore finely tailored clothes. Unlike his brothers and father, who were eye candy in their own right, Rick VonRamsberg had blond hair and blue eyes with insanely long lashes. Dimples and a mouth created for sin made him perfectly irresistible, and she had no reason to resist.
He swirled them and dipped so when they came back up, their bodies touched. Interesting.
“My father is planning to take Casey and her parents on a tour of Danislova,” he said. “Can you stay long enough to come with us?”
“No one’s invited me.”
“I’m inviting you.” His voice dropped in pitch, just enough to suggest his invitation had less to do with touring castles than touring each other.
“I don’t know. I have responsibilities at home.”
He stiffened ever so slightly. “What responsibilities?”
“My dog, for one.” Come to think of it, she probably didn’t have any other responsibility at all.
“Where’s the dog now?”
“My ex is taking care of her.” It had been Phil’s idea to get a dog, but he’d wanted something big and masculine, not a tiny mutt.
“Can he continue to keep the dog?”
“I guess.” Phil would complain. Let him.
“There, you see?”
The music stopped, but he didn’t release her for a few seconds. They stood, staring into each other’s faces, until common sense returned and she stepped back. Still, he didn’t let her go completely but curved her arm around his to lead her from the dance floor.
“Let’s find some champagne, shall we?” he said.
“Let’s do.”
Luckily, a server carrying a tray of champagne flutes stopped by, and the prince took two glasses. As he handed one to Dixie, he gave her a slight bow. All very regal and proper. The gleam in his eyes as he did it suggested he could follow up with improper behavior if given the chance. Her breath caught for a split second. He made a stunning display of masculine beauty, and for a moment her imagination went wild picturing what she’d find under the starched, white shirt. Or more importantly inside his pants. Somehow, she’d have to find a way to get beyond subtle to direct or they could end up dancing around each other for days before they got down to the nitty-gritty.
Keeping her gaze steadily on his, she tipped her glass against the one in his hand and then curled her arm around his to bring her champagne to her mouth.
His eyes widened in surprise for no more than a heartbeat, but then, he bent his own arm so he could drink as well. The action brought their faces only inches from each other, and she couldn’t help but stare as his lower lip touched the glass. He caressed it, knowing full well she wouldn’t be able to look away, the scamp. It was a purely seductive move that connected to her heart and places south, excitement zinging along her nerves. Oh, my. Oh, my, oh, my.
Suddenly, the air seemed to grow hot, and she pulled back and lifted a hand to fan her face. He simply stood, smiling. He knew the effect he had on her, and he was enjoying himself. Two could play at that, and she could get a rise out of him if she tried. Literally.
She turned toward the dance floor, as if she had any interest in anyone out there. Her heartbeat continued at a rapid pace.
“You don’t resemble your brothers or your father,” she said.
“I look like my mother’s side of the family,” he said.
“You’re all handsome devils, though, aren’t you?” she said. “Even your father.”
He took a position next to her, almost touching, and also feigned an interest in the dancers. “Are you including me in that?”
“What do you think?”
“I think I’m flattered,” he answered.
“Not flattery if it’s true.”
“Shall I return the compliment?”
She glanced at him out of the corners of her eyes. “Only if it’s honest.”
“Honesty,” he said. “You’re the most beautiful woman here.”
The rapid beat of her heart became a flutter. “I don’t see how that’s possible. I mean, the bride—”
“Casey’s lovely. So are Felice and Lady Marta and any number of other women.” He turned toward her. “They aren’t you.”
“Why, sir, you take my breath away.” In times of stress and excitement, the southern part of her personality snuck out. She was certainly excited now.
He didn’t remark on the accent she still carried but smiled in a way that suggested she’d charmed him. “What shall we do to get your breath back?”
“Nothing. I like it this way.”
“You’re very direct, Miss…Dixie.” He was smiling in earnest now, his expression suggesting openness to anything she might say.
“My granny taught me to say what I mean and mean what I say,” she replied.
“Very admirable of her.”
“So, what I’m thinking is one of us should seduce the other,” she said. “I just can’t decide which.”
His eyes widened in surprise, no doubt at her directness, but then, his grin widened. “Why not make it mutual?”
“Mutual seduction.” Success. If she’d stayed around for the tour of Danislova, she would have ended up in his bed at some point. Why put off the pleasure?
“That sounds wonderful,” she said. “But we should be discreet. The whole world doesn’t need to know our business.”
“Agreed,” he said. “Later, then? I’ll come to you.”
“I’ll find you, instead.” That way, she could leave once they’d had their fun. No point getting attached to anyone because after five years of Phil Comstock she’d never get married again.
“Fine,” he said. “I’m in the family wing, near Casey and Kurt. I’ll leave my door ajar so you’ll know where I am.”
“I’ll come after the party winds down.”
“I’ll be there.”
Just then, Casey came running up to Dixie almost at top speed. She caught Dixie’s wrist. “Come on. I’m going to throw the bouquet.”
Dixie held back. “Oh, no. You’re not getting me into that crowd.”
“But you might catch it,” Casey said.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Dixie said. “I made that mistake once.”
Casey tugged in Dixie’s wrist again. “Come on.”
Rick took Dixie’s glass. “If the bride wants you to do something…”
“Rick’s right,” Casey said. “It’s my wedding. I get to order everyone around.”
“Oh, all right.” Dixie allowed Casey to pull her away from the gorgeous man she’d be having sex with later. She’d have to kill time until then, anyway. In the meantime, she’d duck if the bouquet got within ten feet of her.
http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Awakened-Princes-Danislova-novel-ebook/dp/B00TGOAONO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1424554847&sr=1-1&keywords=alice+gaines+beauty+awakened
