Stephanie Draven is a multi-published award-nominated author of myth-inspired paranormal romance. Writing for HQN Nocturne, Stephanie’s Mythica series asks the question: What if the monsters of ancient mythology still walked the earth...and what if you found out that you were one of them? Currently a denizen of Baltimore, that city of ravens and purple night skies, Stephanie lives there with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books.
Laura Kaye Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of a half-dozen books. Hearts in Darkness is a finalist for the EPIC eBook Award for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
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Leia Rice is an avid lover of everything Parisian, Ancient Grecian and Ancient Roman. She wishes that women would still wear the pretty dresses and petticoats that they did back in the 18th century, but she’s well aware how much of a pain they must have been. Leia writes historical fiction, romance and erotica in these areas, because she cannot get enough of each respective time period.
Stephanie, Laura & Leai share the one thing that they are little afraid to write & seek feeback & encouragent from you! SO, come weigh in on what YOU think makes or breaks a sexy story!
Resolve Not To Fear Your Fantasies
Three HQN Author Confessions
Laura: I’m chuckling at Leia’s answer! Wait til you see it! :P Hmmm...while I do use it, I’m always a bit shy of using the ‘c’ word. No, not that one, the other one. LOL I’ve lost you, I just know it. Mkay, I’ll give you more of a hint. The second letter is ‘u’. Aha! Now you’re with me! Erotic writers are encouraged to use the blunt terms, and euphemisms are roundly discouraged and even made fun of (throbbing member, anyone???). But, while I have no problem talking about and writing about a guy’s ‘c’, using the ‘c’ word for a woman’s nether regions always gives me pause. Usually, I plow on through the hesitation if I think the story calls for it, but what’s your thinking on one or both ‘c’ words? Full disclosure: In the Service of the King totally called for both ‘c’ words - this is one hot, full-on, in-your-face story. Yum-my.
Stephanie: My hero inThe Fever and The Fury is totally unafraid to drop the f-bomb. In fact, Lieutenant Luke Lazaros keeps using the naughty word because it embarrasses my otherwise bad-ass ancient demi-goddess of a heroine. But I’m afraid to write a hero who likes to call my heroine names. This happens all the time in real life sexual situations and I think it’s part of healthy dirty talk. However, so much of what goes on in bed is shrouded with shame and taboo that I’m terrified readers would hate any hero who used a word like slut, even if I otherwise made it very clear that he has nothing but the most profound respect for her. What do you think? Would you be able to handle a hero who had a filthy mouth?
Leia: I’m afraid of writing about anal sex. It really squicks me out when I find it in books. Especially when I don’t have any warning that it’s coming, and then BAM! Surprise anal sex. It’s just not pleasant! That’s why I’m afraid to write it. Should I?
