What is one of your favorite things about writing?
When I get to the end of each story, and I’m happy with that ending. I prefer HEA for my main characters.
When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
Oh definitely the plot.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Plotter
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
I prepare an outline for each character, but sometimes they change as the story evolves.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
Anytime – does that mean I’m always in the mood?
What do you like best about writing?
Seeing the story unfold on my screen, and it may change slightly as I write.
What is the most difficult thing about writing?
Editing, and the arguments that I seem to have with some editors, mainly about POV.
What do you like about writing series books?
I don’t write series, although a lot of my book titles include the word Heat.
What is one of your favorite ways to learn about your characters?
I often dream up the characters lying in bed in the early hours, so I get up and start making notes on my laptop about each character, and the story, and then go back to bed.
What do you feel are some of the pros and cons of epublishing?
You can publish an eBook whenever you like, but conversely you have to make sure your spelling and grammar are correct. It takes no time at all to epublish, but a conventional publisher can take a year to get your book out. A conventional publisher will have a sales and marketing department, but self-publishing I have to do my own.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Sometimes I see a program on TV, and that might prompt me to write a story which reflects my thoughts about the program and/or the characters.
What do you like best about writing menage?
I don’t.
What do you like best about writing erotic romance?
As a man I bring I a lot of male lust into my writing, and fantasize about some of the ladies.
What are your favorite research resources?
Probably my experiences in life, as I have been working in many different countries in Africa and now Asia, with different ethnic groups.
What usually comes first for you, characters or plot?
Usually the plot.
Do you find it harder to write novels or short stories?
I have only written a few short stories, which usually reflect a short experience in my life, and then later I find it difficult to expand that story to a novel.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
Mundania/Phaze will be publishing a romance novel on 25th August – It’s Just Not Cricket! – Which for a change is based in London.
What are you working on now?
I have two novels in the final stages – one about a man who gets wet on a riding trek, and the other about two older men who go on a seaside holiday together, and the people they meet.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
I was so entranced with her beautiful face that I hadn’t noticed she was wearing a tight skirt, and a blouse buttoned down the front, with a V-front which set off her cleavage.
I kissed her lips, and she sighed. I did not want to smudge her perfectly applied lipstick, so I moved my lips sideways to her ear, which I also kissed.
She moved so that I was not under her body, and I kissed her neck just under the ear that I had just kissed.
She giggled, and said, “That tickles!”
I put my hand on her bottom and pulled her body toward me, and she lifted her arm so that I could kiss her cleavage.
She did not object and in fact lifted her breasts toward me. Her perfume assailed me again. I moved my mouth down so that I could kiss one breast, and she held me tight to her. As she relaxed I used my spare hand to undo the top button of her blouse. She was wearing a very lacy bra, with a centre clip, so I undid another button and then tried to undo the clip between her breasts. She moved her shoulders forward to ease the clip.
What three words would the hero of your story use to describe his love interest?
Beautiful, skin, honesty.
What three words would the heroine of your story use to describe her love interest?
Tall, good-looking, trustworthy.
If the main characters in your latest release were invited to a masquerade party, what costumes would they wear?
Angela would, of course, wear a saree, whilst William would probably dress as a tennis player.
What makes the hero of It’s Just Not Cricket! hot?
Unassuming, physically fit and confident.
Would you give us a sneak peek at one of your upcoming releases?
BODY HEAT – Naked & Afraid! Based on the TV program Survival – a man and a woman both strangers spend 21 days alone in a remote area without shelter, food, water or clothes. Coming from Phaze Books on 15th September.
Do you have a favorite character or characters you feel especially close to?
Yes, I fall in love with all my heroines, all of them.
Would you share one of the sexiest or most romantic lines from one of your books?
My sexual scenes are definitely explicit. I’d prefer to wait for my readers, but look at the excerpt above where the characters are only starting off!
What are a few of your favorite book covers that have been done for your books?
I have attached three covers: Safari Heat, West African Heat and Tsunami Tragedy. These are all professional and reassure the reader about the novel.
If you could meet one of your characters, which one would it be?
Any of my heroines, there are over twenty, so let’s say my latest leading lady Helen from Naked and Willing.
Do you prefer writing your heroes, your heroines or do you like writing both equally?
The heroes have to be substantial, or they would have no attraction for the heroines. Most of my heroes are based on people I know, but I hope they cannot recognize themselves!
If you were a shapeshifter and could become any one item owned by your latest romance hero (or heroine), what would it be?
I’m not.
If you could step into one of your books, which one would it be?
Safari Heat, published by Phaze Books.
Would you share a favorite quote from your latest hero, heroine or villain?
“some joker had sent an enlarged photo of him on his knees proposing to Angela to his office”
Would you tell us about yourself?
I have worked in developing countries for over fifty years, usually in the field of poverty alleviation or sustainable livelihoods. I have now retired and started writing historical fiction, which I have self published. Historical fiction lacks romance so I began to write short stories, which Blushing Books published.
I live in a mountainous province in Vietnam with my wife, and we both enjoy a stream of visits from our seven children and their families.
What are your favorite genres to read and write?
Romance with explicit sex scenes.
Where can we visit you online?
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
I like gardening and cooking.
How long have you been writing?
I wrote my first historical novel in 1996, but then had a long, long break as I could not find a publisher, and I was also working full time on projects. Subsequently I self published that book SINAGIRI in November 2013, and since then have written another twenty five other novels.
To you what makes a great romance hero?
Fitness and honesty.
To you what makes a great romance heroine?
Beauty, honesty.
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
No, but my granddaughter, who’s 7, likes to watch TV at high volume, and I have to get it to turn it down.
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
I prefer the mountains to the sea, candidly, which is where I live now.
Name three fictional characters (not your own) that you find hot. They can be from books, movies, or TV.
The trouble is that I cannot remember their character names, but their acting names are Monica Bellucci, Sofia Loren, and …
If you could be any kind of shapeshifter, what kind would you be?
I’m not.
What is your favorite season?
The spring.
What book are you currently reading?
Sometimes I read two or three books, almost at the same time; Chris Ryan, Bernard Cornwall, P G Wodehouse (again).
What is the last movie you watched?
S.W.A.T.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Anything savory – a bacon sandwich.
Do you have any pets?
Unfortunately the second of my two dogs died in January, of old age, and I’m on the lookout for a large cross breed puppy.
Social
