What is one of your favorite things about writing?
Being able to introduce readers to the people that live in my imaginary worlds.
When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
It depends. Sometimes a character will leap out and demand to be written. Other times a plot will unfold first.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Pantser all the way. =D
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
The characters, without a doubt.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
I have to be alone with no distractions, but other than that, I can pen a sex scene at any time.
What do you like about writing series books?
Being able to bring in new characters to interact with the already established ones. I just love that!
What is one of your favorite ways to learn about your characters?
Letting them tell me what kind of music and food they like. Those two things tell me a lot.
What do you like best about writing erotic romance?
Well, the sexy times are always fun, but I really love being able to write about every aspect of a relationship.
Do you find it harder to write novels or short stories?
I actually find short stories harder to write. I’m terribly wordy.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
Sure! My latest release was an M/M shifter novella titled An Erie Operetta. It`s the second book in my Lake Erie shifter series and centers on a skunk shifter, Templeton Reed, who has a nose for trouble.
What are you working on now?
At the moment I’m working on an M/F hockey story submission that I hope will be chosen to be part of a cancer charity anthology.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
As a matter of fact, I do! —
“Our carriage will be waiting,” Mikel said. I nodded in understanding. The cold was bracing after the humidity of so many tightly packed bodies in the ship`s lounge. I inhaled to clear the overlap of perfume and cologne from my nose. We wasted no time in finding the Lupei carriage. It was a huge black and red carriage attached to four ebony steeds pawing at the cobblestone street.
“You higher breeds and your need to cling to the past,” I said with a shake of my head as I climbed inside.
“It’s not all of us,” Mikel replied, sitting down beside me on a velvet-covered seat. “I would be just as happy to use a limo, but protocol must be adhered to. One does not arrive at the Osterman Opera House in anything less than a four-horse. It is simply not done.” He mimed one of the old puma matriarchs we had chatted with during the boat ride. The way he wrinkled his patrician nose was quite adorable. I wanted to kiss him passionately, for his humor always appealed, but didn’t. Dave and Eddie had seen us exchange goodbye pecks, but nothing more than that. I patted his thick thigh instead as I chuckled at the impersonation. The Halfling driver cracked a sharp-sounding whip. The carriage jerked as the horses took off into the night.
“Where exactly is the Osterman located?” I asked as we bounced along a road much older than I was. I knew that the opera house had been named after Oliver Osterman, one of the first of our kind to settle along the shores of Erie. Aside from that, I knew little, as it was intended. If we lessers knew nothing of the excesses of the aristocracy then we would not grow envious. Or so the elders had thought. Fools, the whole lot of them.
“If I told you I would have to kill you,” the alpha replied. I turned my head to look deeply into his eyes. I quickly saw the humor.
“Funny,” I said with a practiced eye roll. I removed my speckled glasses to dry them with my handkerchief.
“I try. Actually, I’m not sure of its exact whereabouts. I do know we’re travelling north, but aside from that I couldn’t say. Personally, I never cared to find out when I was younger. My father and mother were avid operagoer’s who dragged my sister and me along to ensure we had culture to counteract our bloody natures. Thankfully, as I matured, I grew to love the classics.”
Mikel grew wistful as he always did discussing his family. I knew enough to let him work out the taking of his sister’s life in his own way. I did lean my head on his shoulder as I wiped my spectacles. He placed a kiss to my hair then fell into silence.
“So,” I said to Dave and Eddie as I inspected my lenses, “you two are rather quiet. Did one of the cats get your tongues?” I snorted at my own wittiness.
“We don’t fit in,” Dave mumbled. I squinted at the two men across from us through highly smudged glasses. They looked miserable.
“Of course you do. You look quite dashing,” I said as I rubbed a lens with more vigor. “Also, you’re part of the Lake Erie pack. That gives you both standing far above what I have. Why, any wolven mama would be proud to mate her bitch pup to either one of you.”
They were saved from having to reply by the slowing of the carriage. Cursing my need to wear glasses, I shoved the smeared spectacles back onto my face. The driver opened the door. Mikel waved off the man in fine red and black livery. I stepped down cautiously, not wanting to fall flat on my face in front of the famous Osterman…
“By the elders,” I gasped when I lay eyes on the opera house.
What three words would the hero of your story use to describe his love interest?
Wolfish, sexy, feral.
If the main characters in your latest release were invited to a masquerade party, what costumes would they wear?
Since they`re shifters they could go as their furry sides, but skunks generally seem to clear a party rather quickly. Perhaps Templeton would go as a swashbuckling pirate while Mikel, his partner, would go as a secret agent.
What makes the hero of An Erie Operetta hot?
I think the thing that appeals about Templeton is that he`s not your typical shifter. He’s kind of skinny and near-sighted but he`s quick witted and clever. Now his partner Mikel on the other hand . . . that is one hunky chunk of lycan!
Would you give us a sneak peek at one of your upcoming releases?
I would love to! This is a small peek at my upcoming M/M rom-com, Early To Rise, which has a tentative release date of 4/1/15 exclusively from Torquere Press.
“Hello, my name is Simon Wilder and I was told that your employer may be looking for a temporary employee with some medical office or admitting experience?”
She snorted, leaned back in her office chair and rubbed the mammoth belly hidden under a blue maternity top. The duck quacked loudly.
“Temporary? God, I hope not.” She patted the mound of baby under her maternity blouse then pushed to her feet with a groan. “This will be my third. I’m planning to start homeschooling my older two, so this will be fulltime if you’re hired.” She waddled around the desk, took my resume, read it, which I found rather forward, and then dashed (or what one would call a dash were she nine months less pregnant) through an adjoining door. I stood there looking foolish while Willie Nelson lamented being on the road once more. A dog sneezed. Someone coughed. I smiled at the humans who were staring at me openly. Within a minute Jemma returned, looking quite like a cat who had just found out how to get into the aviary. “Go right in. He’s got a patient, but he can talk while he examines.”
With her hand firmly planted in the middle of my back I was shoved into the doctor’s office. The man running his hands over a goat kid was not Old Doc Jepson. I’d had this vision of an old, doddering country vet with a big belly, white hair, and round glasses on the end of his nose: Saint Nick with a degree in animal care, if you will. This man was about as far from that as one could get. The gorgeous man who had freed me from my car outside Donna’s Diner blinked, clearly as stunned as I was. He looked damned good in that white medical coat, I must admit. He was trying to examine the goat.
“So we meet again,” he said at the same time the goat blatted. It was a cute little thing with black and white spots.
“Yes, we do. I have to say that I’m not sure if I’m actually qualified for… That goat just pooped on the exam table.” I pointed at a rather runny looking mess splattered on the stainless steel tabletop.
“Yeah, he has diarrhea. And a slight fever. I’m thinking it might be a case of coccidiosis. Would you hold him so I can grab a fecal sample?”
“Sure?” What the hell was I doing? I took the speckled goat’s collar in my fingers. “This is my best suit,” I pointed out. The doctor made an “uh-huh” sort of sound. “So why are you here? You’re not Old Doc Jepson.”
“No, I’m not. Doc Jepson passed over a year ago. I was his associate. Now, I’m the chief cook and bottle-washer. Gentry Martin.” He held out a hand covered in a rubber glove. My nose wrinkled as we shook quickly.
Would you tell us about yourself?
Sure. I’m a full-time author who lives in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I’ve been married for 23 years to a man who makes me laugh every darn day. We have a 19 year old daughter who is a college freshman and we live on a small hobby farm with a few steers, some ducks, geese, and a ton of chickens!
What are your favorite genres to read and write?
Erotic romance generally but I tend to leap all over the place. I’ll read high fantasy and then dive into a military suspense or paranormal romance.
Where can we visit you online?
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/VL-Locey/124405447678452
Twitter- https://twitter.com/vllocey
Pinterest-http://www.pinterest.com/vllocey/
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5807700.V_L_Locey
My blog- http://thoughtsfromayodelinggoatherder.blogspot.com/
tsú – https://www.tsu.co/vllocey
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
I love to read, collect comic books, study Greek mythology, cheer on the New York Rangers, and sip coffee.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing professionally for four years.
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
I’m one of those writers that requires a cave and ear plugs. So sadly, no music or TV can be playing.
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
Greece. It`s on my bucket list since I’m such a Greek mythology nut.
Name three fictional characters (not your own) that you find hot. They can be from books, movies, or TV.
Books-Vishous from the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
Movies-Robert Downey Jr.
TV-Norman Reedus
Sports-Henrik Lundqvist (goalie for my beloved NY Rangers)
Do you have any pets?
Yes, we have a beagle named Tinker, and two cats, Lu-Lu and Lucius.
Thanks so much for hosting me today, Kate!
Thank you for being a guest!