Today we’re thrilled to introduce you to Layna Pimentel, here to share about her writing life and give us a peek into one of her works in progress!

Why don’t you start by telling us about yourself (Where are you from? What do you write/do in the publishing world? What do you do when you’re not writing — your “day” job, hobbies, obsessions, etc.?) Thank you for having me over, Adriana. I’m originally from Toronto, Ontario, but have since relocated to a small city bordering the upper peninsula of Michigan with my husband and two daughters. During the day I work in the telecommunications industry, which satisfies the geeky side of me. In my spare time when I find some, I collect tarot, gargoyles, gardening and researching new ideas for stories.

If you were stranded on a desert island with only five books and five CDs, what would they be? (We’ll just imagine you can play the CDs – after all, this is fiction!) Be prepared to be shocked. I listen to a wide variety of music. Sarah Brightman – Symphony, Fleetwood Mac – The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac, The Mediaeval Baebes – Mirabilis, Type O Negative – October Rust,  Jesse Cook – Free Fall. As for books, here would be my choices: The Wedding – Julie Garwood, When Strangers Marry – Lisa Kleypas, Bitten – Kelly Armstrong, The Duke – Gaelen Foley, The Chief – Monica McCarty.

Do you read primarily print books, ebooks, or both? I read a combination of the two. Most of my historical novels are in paperback. As for my erotica/erotic romance collection, I prefer to keep those in ebook format, away from prying eyes (my daughters). lol

Tell us about your writing: How long have you been writing? What genre(s) do you write in? What have you written (short stories, novels, etc.)? What works are currently for sale? Where?  I’ve been writing on and off since high school, but professionally for three years. I write paranormal romance, but I’ve dabbled with some sci/fi and contemporary. I have a few completed short stories, with one out on submission. Aside from that, I have one novella and novel in the works.

What made you decide to write? My obsession started only as way to relieve stress. Who knew it would eventually become an addiction/way of life.

What made you chose to write your genre in particular? Is there any other genre you’d like to write? And if so, why? I have to admit, I think the genre picked me. I love anything to do with vampires, ghosts, weres and demons. So why not? Now that I’ve built some confidence with my writing I’ve decided to try my hand at historical and contemporary erotica. They’ve always been favorites.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? I’m a little of both. Goodness knows though, no matter how many times I try and stick to a plan, things always change.

How do you get ideas for your stories? What inspires you? For the most part music plays a huge influence in what I write. When I’m in a classical mood, I write historical pieces, rock and ambient music inspire my paranormal and contemporary pieces.

Which comes first when you’re starting to write a new story: character, setting, plot, or theme? For me a character is what drives a new story. Nothing beats having fresh meat to work with. It’s those first moments with your characters that make it, or break it with the plot.

Any advice for those who want to write? This is going to sound cheesy but the only advice I can offer is to remember the three p’s. Patience, perseverance, pride. Writing doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does becoming the next hot release on the NYT bestsellers list. Take it one step at a time. The experience is humbling.

Perseverance should be that nagging devil on your shoulder, pushing you on to prove everyone wrong. Only you can put your ideas on paper, and only you can prove to the world your characters are worthy. So don’t give up. You’re the only person in-charge of your dreams.

While pride can have a negative definition, be sure that your work is the best it can be before you submit. You’ll save yourself a sh*t load of embarrassment, if find yourself a compatible critique group/partner to work with.

Is there a way for fans and others to contact you? Absolutely. You can find me at:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LaynaPimentel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001239355168&ref=tn_tnmn

Romance Novel Center: http://www.romancenovelcenter.com/laynapimentel

Tell us about your work – we’d love an excerpt, too! Here’s a sneak peek into a little something I’m working on right now. This excerpt is from Crushed Velvet, my contemporary erotic novella with some D/S elements.

EXCERPT

Brent gazed into her eyes, hoping she wanted him as bad as he did her.

“Tell me sweetheart, has there been anyone else since your husband passed?”

She studied him as if discerning whether it was safe to let the truth out. And what was the truth? Had she been with others, or had she found solace in being celibate? He waited for what seemed an eternity for her response when she finally shook her head. A subtle but noticeable blush swept across her cheeks, and she shook her head while cupping the bulge in his leather pants. Her response shook him to the core.

How was it possible for her to have gone so long without being kissed, loved by another man? Yes, she would have required time to mourn, but to isolate herself from human touch was unhealthy. Everyone had needs, and hers were no different from anyone else. He would have died if he’d gone without sex for such an extended time. The past three days he’d longed for her had been hard enough. Mental images of spanking her perfect ass, binding her to his bed and driving himself, hard and deep, tortured him. His throbbing cock would have to wait. He wanted to remind her of the simple pleasure life had to offer. Right now, he wanted her to need him.

Desire coursed through his veins. He slid his hands up her toned thighs, lifting the hem of her dress, until he cupped the globes of her ass. Understanding his queue, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He backed her into the draped corner across the lounge, not caring whether they were in public or not. They were in Crushed Velvet, and the likelihood of the patrons complaining was nil. He’d have her more focused on every stroke of his fingers sliding in and out, and every tweak of her sweet and swollen clit, instead of entertaining any of the clubs voyeurs. Not only would he reacquaint her with the sensations a man could bring her, but he would give her a lesson in submission.

Today we’re excited to welcome K. D. Grace to our pages! She’s set her most recent novel in one of my all-time fave places, England’s Lake District, and populated it with ghosts and demons and witches – not to mention steamy erotic scenes.

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Without further ado, here’s K.D.!

Why don’t you start by telling us about yourself (Where are you from? What do you write/do in the publishing world? What do you do when you’re not writing — your “day” job, hobbies, obsessions, etc.?) I live in South England with my husband. I write erotic romance, grow vegetables and walk miles and miles for inspiration.  Wow! I just answered all the questions in one sentence. I love to walk, and I love to grow my own vegetables. My husband and I just got an allotment after three years on the waiting list, so now we have a half an acre to grow vegetables in. So much to grow, so little time. We walk. We walk lots. I walk my stories and find that gardening and walking are the two fastest ways to inspiration. Though ironing works too, it’s not nearly as much fun.

Do you read primarily print books, ebooks, or both?  I read both, but I read more ebooks these days just because I can take more to read with me when I travel, and that saves the dilemma on just what books to take. Also it lightens the load considerably.

Do you own an ereader? Why or why not? If so, what’s on it? Yep, I have a Kindle, and I love it. It’s just so convenient. I love that I can have a whole library with me for less than the weight of one book. I keep whatever erotic novels I have queued up to read. I have several romances by Nora Roberts. I have Flannigan’s Run, I have God’s Behaving Badly, I have Susie Bright’s Big Sex Little Death, I have The Story of O. LOTS of good stuff.

Tell us one thing about yourself people would be surprised to learn. I’m actually a very shy introvert. People laugh at me when I tell them that, but it’s the god’s-honest truth. Since the publication of my first novel, The Initiation of Ms Holly, I’ve had to learn to promote my brand, so I’ve lived outside my comfort zone a good bit of the time. I’m getting more used to being in extroverted situations, but it’s still exhausting.

Tell us about your writing: How long have you been writing? What genre(s) do you write in? What have you written (short stories, novels, etc.)? What works are currently for sale? Where?  I’ve written for as long as I can remember. It’s always been my favourite thing to do. I can’t imagine not doing it. I’ve written in lots of genres, but I’ve published in erotic romance. I fell into it by accident and stayed because I love it. I’ve written lots of short stories, published by Xcite Books, Mischief, Cleis Press, Mammoth Books, Ravenous Romance, Sweetmeats Press and lots of others. I have three novels out now with Xcite Press. Two, The Initiation of Ms Holly and The Pet Shop, are contemporary erotic romance, and my latest novel, Body Temperature and Rising, is the first in a paranormal erotic trilogy set in the Lake District. I’m thrilled with the trilogy, as the Lake District is one of my favourite places on the planet, and a place that really lends itself to ghosts and witches.

I’ve also just released two novellas, Migrations, with Xcite Books’ new Secret Library Series, which I’m really excited about. And my ‘garden porn novella,’ Surrogates, with Mischief Books. I’m really excited about both.  All of my works are available on Amazon and lots of other cool places. I’ll give buy links at the end of the interview.

What made you decide to write? It wasn’t really a decision. I’ve never not written. I can’t imagine not writing. What made me decide to seriously pursue writing as a career, however, was waking up one morning and realizing that really, I wasn’t fit to do anything else. I’d never wanted to do anything else, and I sure as hell wasn’t getting any younger!

What made you chose to write erotic literature in particular? Is there any other genre you’d like to write? And if so, why? As I said, I fell into it sort of by accident. I’ve always been able to write sex scenes easily, so when the now defunct UK magazine, Scarlet, ran their ‘Cliterature’ section, I thought, ‘I can do that,’ so I sent off a story and they published it. From there it was almost like an avalanche of opportunities. I found that I was really good at it and that I really liked it.

I’d like to write fantasy, and romance, both of which I’m working on at the moment.

What do you like most about writing? Least? There are so many things I like about writing. But I think what I love most is that when I’m writing, I’m god. I create worlds, I create characters and I turn them loose and see what happens, and wow! It’s always such a surprise what my characters do, and how they get from the beginning of a story to the end. I love that, as a writer, I’m totally self-entertaining. I’m never bored, and I’m always excited to see what happens next.

What I like least is that I can only write so fast. I’m pretty prolific, but I have so many stories in my head, I’ll have to live to be at least a hundred and fifty to get them all out. But then there are always new ones coming into my mind every day, so bottom line, I hate that so much of what I want to write will never happen cuz I just won’t live that long.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? A bit of both. I always get the idea in my head, go for a long walk and put a very loose chapter by chapter synopsis together, then I just write. If I stray from the synopsis, no biggie. It’s like having a map, but deciding to take the scenic route every once in a while.

Which comes first when you’re starting to write a new story: character, setting, plot, or theme? Plot usually comes first. I usually find myself with some intriguing ‘what if’ Scenario, then I’m off and writing.

Any advice for those who want to write? DON’T GIVE UP! Just write. Keep writing. Write all the time. When you’re not writing, think about writing, dream about writing, scheme about writing. Then keep writing. The hardest bit is getting that first story published, and it’s the people who don’t give up who get published.  All the while you’re writing, you’re honing and polishing your craft, and THAT’S what’ll get you there!

What’s the most useful book on writing you’ve ever read? Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, gave me the courage just to get the words down on paper. I’d recommend it for courage.  For craft, I’d recommend  Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. It’s by far the best book I’ve ever read on the nuts and bolts of writing. I reread it periodically.

What’s the sexiest feature on a man to you? And on a woman? Why? I like nice pecs — on men AND womenJ I’m not sure why, maybe it’s because it’s such a lovely place to lay one’s head.

What’s your earliest childhood memory?I remember my dad taking me to the playground when I was a very young child and pushing me on the swing. I loved that.

Is there a way for fans and others to contact you?

My Website: http://kdgrace.co.uk/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KDGraceAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/KD_Grace

Tell us about your latest release – we’d love an excerpt, too!

Lakeland Heatwave Book 1:
Body Temperature and Rising

Blurb:

American transplant to the Lake District, MARIE WARREN, didn’t know she could unleash demons and enflesh ghosts until a voyeuristic encounter on the fells ends in sex with the charming ghost, ANDERSON, and night visits from a demon. To help her cope with her embarrassing and dangerous new abilities, Anderson brings her to the ELEMENTALS, a coven of witches who practice rare sex magic that temporarily allows needy ghosts access to the pleasures of the flesh.

DEACON, the demon Marie has unleashed, holds an ancient grudge against TARA STONE, coven high priestess, and will stop at nothing to destroy all she holds dear. Marie and her landlord, the reluctant young farmer, TIM MERIWETHER, are at the top of his list. Marie and Tim must learn to wield coven magic and the numinous power of their lust to stop Deacon’s bloody rampage before the coven is torn apart and more innocent people die.

Excerpt:

The image of a dark figure approaching her through the fog tightened her belly and her nipples, and yet at the same time sent shards of ice down her back. It was a dream, she told herself. Surely it had to be, as she gathered herself to run.

It was a gentle touch of her arm that woke her with a start, and she looked up into the dark eyes of Anderson. ‘Come with me, out of the rain.’ He offered her his hand and helped her to her feet. She was amazed to find that he was still in the black suit, no anorak, no water proofs, no proper walking boots.

‘I lost my compass,’ she said.

‘I’m very sorry to hear that,’ he replied.

Almost before she knew it they were descending. ‘Don’t worry,’ he spoke close to Marie’s ear. ‘I know the fells like I’ve lived here forever.’ Once we get to Grange, Tara will be waiting for us.’

He made no attempt to explain who Tara was, nor did he introduce himself. That was her first clue that he might have been aware of her voyeuristic escapade.

‘We’ll be down before you know it,’ he added, turning his face into the storm.

But they weren’t. The weather worsened to a downpour. Bent double in the wind, Marie was soaked to the skin and shivering by the time Anderson pulled her into a cave that she hadn’t even seen until they were safe inside.

‘We’ll wait it out here,’ he said. He offered her a smile and gestured around the cave. ‘There are lots of caves and quarries around the Lake district. Some are fenced off for the protection of curious tourists, and others, like this one, most people don’t know about.’

‘And your girl friend, won’t she be worried?’

The tolerant smile he offered made her aware of her mistake. ‘Tara knows what I would do in such weather.’ Then he added, ‘Though she’s very dear to me, Tara’s not my girlfriend.’

Before she could say anything he chuckled softly. ‘I know that you saw us together, and there’s no need to apologize. Neither of us was upset that you enjoyed our love making. In fact we rather hoped it would please you. Besides one must certainly expect such encounters when one chooses the middle of a well-traveled path for a rendezvous. Now remove your shirt for me, please.’

When she balked, he added. ‘You’re cold and wet. I only wish to make you more comfortable and prevent you catching your death.’ He had already shed his jacket and handed it to her. She was astonished to find it completely dry. ‘You may wear this.’

More info and buy links: http://kdgrace.co.uk/books/lakeland-heatwave-book-i/