Roxanne's Realm: Interview and Giveaway: Temptation in a Bottle by Shona Husk

What inspired you to become an author?

I wrote (and read) a lot as a child but I never considered becoming an author. In my late teens I stopped writing, but I didn’t stop making up stories. It was only when I went on maternity leave that I started writing again. By that time I had discovered romance novels and I realized that I could do this as a job. It’s taken a while but I can now say that I am a full time author :)

Do you write in different genres?

Yes I write in a few different genres. While I mostly write paranormal romance I also write fantasy romance and sci-fi romance (the heat level varies between books too as some are sensual and others are scorching). It’s nice to be able to write different things and writing in different genres is also a way of stretching myself as a writer. I love new challenges.

If yes which is your favorite genre to write?

That is a tricky question. As much as I love paranormal romance, I might have to say sci-fi at the moment (I’ve only just started writing sci-fi so it’s all shiny and new and exciting).

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

I usually give a book a title when I start plotting it. Sometimes it changes while I work on it, other times it changes once the publisher has it. Some books are much harder to title than others. One of my secret projects has changed titles a few times and I’ve changed the series name. I have no doubt it will change again.

What book are you reading now?

I’m listening to Caught in Amber by Cathy Pagau. It’s a sci-fi romance. I don’t listen to a lot of audio books but I find that sometimes it’s nice to give my eyes a break from reading and staring at the screen.

What books are in your to read pile?

My to be read pile is quite large. The books I plan to read next are: Coyote by Rhonda Roberts, A Warlord’s Lady by Nicola E Sheridan and The Crossroad by Mark Donaldson, VC. I like reading lots of things so my TBR pile is a mix of different genres with everything from military nonfiction through to historical romance and fantasy.

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

I’ve been working on the edits for Lunar Reunion which is book 2 in my erotic sci-fi series decadent Moon which is out February 19^th. This series is a lot of fun as it’s all alien, no humans. I also have a couple of secret projects on the go in two new series.

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Here’s a snippet from Temptation in a Bottle:

“A dare?” Sasha let herself be pulled over to the kitchen table, uncertainty pooling in her gut. What had Evie done this time?

The table was covered in bottles. Wine, beer, tomato sauce…you name it, the bottle was represented. The only thing they had in common was that they were all empty, except for a piece of paper.

Sasha raised her eyebrows. “Seriously, how long have you been collecting?”

“I asked the neighbors for donations, and in return I gave them movie passes for the night. Unless they were single, and then I invited them.”

Ah-ha. That was why no one was complaining about the noise yet. She’d have to get Evie to organize her farewell party. Did she really want a party?

“Do I have to?” Random party games weren’t her thing.

“Yes. They’re for breaking the ice and introducing you to someone new. Pick a bottle and complete the dare.”

Sasha forced a smile that felt more like a grimace. It was Evie who always talked her into doing something she didn’t want to do. Like date some guy just because he was keen, or sneaking out to go clubbing when they were teenagers. “And if I don’t?”

“I’ll know you’re a welcher at heart.” Evie dangled a soy sauce bottle at her.

“You’re the welcher. You refused to bungee with me.”

“I discovered I have a fear of jumping off bridges with a rubber band tied to my ankles. Besides, that wasn’t a dare. It was an idea that had sounded good at three in the morning.”

“Mmm.” Sasha put the bottle Evie had selected for her back on the table.

“So, can I interest you in an old-style Coke bottle? A mini champagne?” Evie picked up the samples as she spoke. “Oh, I know—sparkling mineral water?”

Sasha cast her gaze over the table. She should humor her friend. One dare and Evie would be happy. No doubt she extracting some joy from watching people be idiots. A flash of white zipped past the window.

Evie laughed. “Someone just streaked! I wondered who got that dare.”

Sasha leaned over to peer into the yard. “Yeah, and someone else has their clothes.”

The clothes thief didn’t get very far before being tackled to the ground by the naked streaker.

“Eww. I didn’t need to see that.” She turned her head away to avoid any more unwelcome glimpses of ass. If she’d been drinking, that probably would’ve been hilarious. Being the sober one at a party wasn’t always a good thing.

“Any more naked dares?” There was no way she was taking off her clothes.

“Not unless you choose to do your dare naked.”

No, thanks.

She glanced at the bottles again, searching for one that looked as though it would contain a relatively safe dare. Her gaze kept sliding back to one in particular. “I’ll take the odd green one.”

Tall, elegant and emerald green. The bottle sparkled in the light as Evie picked it up. “I don’t remember this one.” She frowned, then shrugged and handed it Sasha.

Her fingertips touched the bottle and a shiver swept over her skin, followed by a rush of heat. Through the glass she could see the paper…and a shadow? She shook off the feeling of expectation as just Evie waiting to see what dare she’d have to perform.

Sasha tugged on the cork. “Damn, Evie. Why’d you re-seal them all?”

“To stop people from peeking and re-choosing,” Evie said as if it were obvious.

Sasha licked her thumb and ran it around the edge of the cork to try and lubricate the opening, then gave it a gentle wiggle. This time the cork moved and popped free. The scent of trees, crisp air and freshly cut hay escaped with the slip of paper. When did air fresheners go so upmarket with their packaging?

She carefully unfolded the note and hoped the dare wasn’t anything too awful.

“Kiss the man on the mechanical bull.” Sasha let out a gentle sigh of relief. This was pretty tame…and she could pick the guy, someone she thought was worth kissing.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Read widely and never stop learning. You never know when something might trigger an idea :)

Temptation in a Bottle

In a Bottle

Book 2

Shona Husk

Genre: paranormal romance

ISBN: 9780992423902

ASIN:

Word Count: 22000

Cover Artist: Helen Katsinis

iTunes ARe Smashwords BN

Book Description:

His only wish is to be free…

For centuries Gage has existed only to fulfill the most intimate desires of the woman who holds his bottle. Now Gage has a wish of his own—to be a real man and a have a real life even though he knows it’s an impossible dream. This time he plans to take his bottle and break it just to see what will happen.

Paramedic Sasha Watts has seen the damage falling in love does to people and she has no intention of being another of Cupid’s victims. She accidentally frees Gage without knowing what he is. After one kiss he walks away and she never expects to see him again, but the goddess Inanna has other ideas.

As punishment for breaking his bottle she erases Gage’s memory of everything but Sasha. Only Sasha can give him the life he longs for and only Gage can be the man she’s always dreamed of, but first she’ll have to open her heart and he’ll have to finish the job Inanna gave him. If he fails, he’ll cease to exist.

About the Author:

Three time ARRA finalist Shona Husk lives in Western Australia at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Blessed with a lively imagination she spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and hasn’t looked back. Drawing on history and myth, she writes about heroes who are armed and dangerous but have a heart of gold—sometimes literally.

With stories ranging from sensual to scorching, she is published with Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing and Sourcebooks.

You can find out more at www.shonahusk.com

www.twitter.com/ShonaHusk

www.facebook.com/shonahusk

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