Erin Nicholas Gives You 'Anything You Want'

Today I am delighted to welcome Erin Nicholas to My Odd Little World. Erin's book, Anything You Want is a delicious and steamy romance, and I loved every bit of it. There's this lovely new use for pie filling, but I won't spoil the story for you-you just have to read it to get the full impact!

Erin will be awarding a grand prize of an Anything You Want Apple Pie Pack—red and white tote filled with red pot holders, a red & white apple apron and towel set, apple pie cookbook, gourmet apple pie filling and an apple pie scented candle to one randomly drawn commenter (US/Canada only please) and choice of an eBook from her backlist to one commenter at every stop.

Before I get down to business with the interview, here's a bit about Erin.

Erin Nicholas is the author of sexy contemporary romances.  Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy and fun.  She loves to write about reluctant heroes, flawed heroines, sex with food and happily ever afters.  She does not like to write dark moments, synopses or bios.  You can find Erin on the web at www.ErinNicholas.com, www.ninenaughtynovelists.blogspot.com, on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ErinNicholas) and even on Facebook (when necessary).

The Writer

What is the best thing about being a writer? The worst?

The best thing is the writing!  Getting to tell the stories that I would want to read is so fun!  The worst is… the writing J  Sometimes the characters just don’t cooperate, or the story just won’t move.  And of course, there’s the dark moment, when all seems lost, when I have to be mean to these people—I hate that part.

What is your method of breaking through writer’s block?

Leaving it alone for awhile.  I work on something else and just try to forget the story that’s giving me fits.  Then when I go back, I read from the beginning.  Usually I’m stuck because I’m trying to go in the wrong direction, or make the characters do something they don’t want to do.  When I abandon that path and accept that I need to go somewhere else, it works itself out.

Do you bring your own life experiences to your writing? Your own personality? If so how?

Yes, to an extent.  I love to write about small town living in the Midwest, which I know intimately.  I also love to write secondary characters and families that are influential and that definitely comes from the fact that my friend and family are incredibly important in my life.  My own personality comes through too in the humor in my books (at least, I think I’m funny J) and the importance I put on the relationships even outside the hero and heroine’s. 

What book was the most fun to write? Which was the hardest to write?

I seem to always have fun writing my books.  But with this question two books came to mind right away:  Just Like That (book 2 in my Bradford series) and Just For Fun (book 4 in that series).  I think it’s because of the heroes.  They are fun guys who are cocky and sexy and don’t take things too seriously—until they meet their girls!

The hardest one to write was likely Anything You Want—my most recent print release.  I love this book and loved writing it, but the characters made me really dig and… well, I was pretty far into the book before I realized I had the heroine with the wrong guy!  That took a major re-write and drove me nuts… but it was the right thing to do! J

What fuels you as an author to continue to write?

Being a reader, I think.  I know how much reading means to me, how certain books and stories have touched me, and I want to do that too. Hearing from readers really keeps me going.  Knowing there are people out there who can love these characters and stories I’ve created is amazing and a true blessing.

Where can we find out more about you and your work?

www.ErinNicholas.com is my website.  I also blog with the Nine Naughty Novelists ( www.NaughtyNine.com) and spend too much time on Twitter J (https://twitter.com/#!/ErinNicholas)

Can you tell us a bit about what book(s) you have coming out next and what you’re working on now?

This year I have two more books and a short story coming out that I’m really excited about.  The short story is a follow up to the first three books in my Bradfords series and then the books are book four and five in the series.  They’ve been in my mind for a long time and lots of readers have asked for them so I can’t wait to get them out! J  Then I’ll be hard at work on a new series for Samhain!

The Person

When you get a chance to read, what books do you love to read?

I don’t read much outside of the romance genre.  It’s my favorite and I don’t have *tons* of reading time so to break me out of that takes a really intriguing book.  I read the Harry Potter series, but I think that might be the last time I spent a long time outside of romance.  I love contemporary romance best—Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Susan Andersen, & Lucy Monroe are some of my favorites.  But I’ll pick up a paranormal now and then and will check out a historical here and there.

What bores you as a reader?

Non-fiction and whiny characters.  I much prefer fictitious worlds to the real one and I easily get tired of characters who feel too sorry for themselves. 

What is your favorite food and what is your guilty pleasure food?

I love LOTS of foods (much to the chagrin of my scale!).  Pizza is hands-down my favorite.  Guilty pleasure—red velvet cupcakes.

If you could go anywhere on a vacation where would you go?

Italy!  Lots of places around there too, but I’ve always wanted to (and fully intend to) see Italy someday. 

What do you think is romantic? What does the word Romance mean to you?

Wow, that’s a great question.  Lots of things can be romantic—gifts, trips, letters, an evening out (or in J)—but I think the bottom line is that romance is when you do something for the one you love that’s all about them.  Something that will make them smile, make them happy, make them feel special—whatever it is—with no thought to yourself or practicality or expense.  Romance is about putting the other person first.

You’re having a dinner party, what five people would you invite?

Assuming it can be anyone, I’d invite JK Rowling, Peter Jackson, Ellen Degeneres, Steven Colbert and Neil Patrick Harris.  These people are all so interesting to me—I’d have questions for all of them and also enjoy just sitting back and listening to them talk to each otherJ

Random Questions

Aliens have landed on the planet. What are the three things you would tell them that are great about this planet?

The beauty and variety of nature—the mountains, deserts, oceans, glaciers, etc…

The way people connect with each other—music, books, film, art, theater, etc…

The human body, mind and spirit and our ability to learn, love and get better and stronger.

If you could create your own drink what would go in it and what would you call it?

So funny, I actually did this!  For one of my books!  It’s a take off on a real drink recipe, called the Magic Pixie (isn’t that fun? J) but I had my heroine change it up, so I had to try out a few concoctions to be sure they were actually good (tough job huh?).  I called it “Sabrina’s Magic Pixie”--  it has sour apple schnapps, raspberry schnapps, sprite and cranberry juice.  I love things that are sweet and a little tart.

You have been locked in a mall and told you can get anything you want and when they open in the morning you won’t have to pay a single cent. What stores would you hit? Better question how would you haul away all your loot?

Books (of course), jewelry (would fit in pockets nicely), a store with carts (to haul the loot J) and home décor and kitchen stuff!

You’ve been given the honor of naming a planet, what would you name it?

Lol—stretching my creativity here!  Though Erintania has ring to it (ha!  Not really J)

If you were in a rock band what would the name of your band be? What would your rocker name be?

Well, I’d be a lot more likely to have a country band (and *not* be the lead singer J)  I’d go for something sweet and naughty at the same time—like Pretty Little Rebels or something. 

Lightning Round (don’t think, just answer)

Ice cream: vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate

Heels or sandals? Sandals

Harry Potter or Twilight? Harry Potter

Dogs or cats?  Cats

Beer or girly drink with umbrella? Girly drinks!

Boxers, briefs or commando? Briefs

Vampire, demon or shifter? Shifter

Soft and sensual or up against the wall? Up against the wall

Mountains or seashore? Seashore

And finally, have you got a sneak peek excerpt from your current work in progress you can share with my readers and me?

My current WIP is the 5^th book in my Bradfords series (due for release in late October—just finishing up edits J)  This is the book about the Bradfords’ good friend, Kevin.  Here’s a peek:

Dang, who were the four big guys in the corner? Eve thought as she approached the table of newcomers with four glasses of water.

            She didn’t recognize the two she could see, though both seemed to be studying her with interest.  They were really good-looking.  And obviously new.  Good-looking guys didn’t go nameless long in Grover.

            “Hi, I’m Eve.  Welcome to Sherry’s.”  She set water down in front of the two guys facing the door first, then turned toward the other two.  She got one glass down before she looked at them.  The other glass was only halfway to the table when the fourth guy slid out and stretched to his feet.  As her eyes followed him up, the water glass in her fingers wobbled, water splashing on the table top.

            “Whoa, there.”  Someone grabbed the glass from her hand before it did more damage.

            She didn’t care as she looked up at Kevin Campbell.

            The Kevin Campbell.  Her Kevin Campbell.

            “Hi, Eve.”

            She remembered his voice perfectly.  She’d imagined it, dreamed it even, so many times that she wasn’t sure it was real for a moment. 

But then he smiled. 

That smile.  The smile that had made her heart pound from the church choir loft, the smile that had made her say yes to that first secret meeting—which had led to so many more— the smile that had made her say yes to that first kiss, that first taste of liquor, that first time skinny dipping.  The smile that had made her say yes to marrying him.

            There had been a lot of yes-es in their past.

            Her mind spun as she thought of them all and she couldn’t find one that she regretted. 

            She’d expected that being up close and personal with him again would make her feel flustered or even sad thinking of all the things they’d missed, the ways she’d messed things up.

            And she did feel jittery and hot and excited, but not tongue-tied or awkward.  She definitely wasn’t sad.

Kevin was here.  Right in front of her.  Smiling that smile.

            “Wow,” she said softly. 

“Ditto,” he said with the half grin still in place.

“I didn’t expect that to be quite so strong.”

            His pupils seemed to dilate as he watched her.  “You didn’t expect what to be so strong?”

            “The impulse to kiss you.”

            His pupils definitely dilated then.  It felt like he leaned closer.  “You have the urge to kiss me?  Now?  Just like that?”

            She lifted a shoulder.  She should probably be embarrassed by that.  Or her pride should dictate that she not admit it.  Or perhaps her pride should make it so it wasn’t true.  He’d walked away.  Less than twenty-four hours after professing in front of God and witnesses that he would love, honor and protect her until death parted them, to be exact.

            But it was true. 

            “It doesn’t feel sudden,” she said.

            “We’re just now seeing each other again after fourteen years apart.  That seems sudden.”  His voice was soft and a little hoarse.

            “It doesn’t feel sudden because it never stopped being true.”  She gave him a smile.  “I just didn’t expect it to be so strong.”

 

BLURB:

Suppose the solution to all your problems is the one thing you never wanted…

It figures the one time Sabrina Cassidy is determined to do the responsible thing, karma kicks in. After four years on the road chasing her musical dream, she’s stranded six hours from home with no money, a ruined credit history—and morning sickness.

Out of options, she swallows her legendary independent streak and calls the only person who won’t hang up on her. Luke, the man she left behind.

Marc Sterling’s first instinct is to protect his business partner and best friend from another broken heart. That means letting her think she’s talking to Luke, then finding a way to send her in the opposite direction.

When he shows up at her hotel room, there’s something in the air beside their customary insults. Sure, her rebellious attitude, smart mouth—and purple panties—still drive him crazy, but now it’s a different kind of crazy. The kind that has him driving her home instead of to the nearest airport.

And when Luke offers to solve all her problems if she’ll only say “I do”, Marc realizes he’s just crazy enough—about her—to forget whose heart he wanted to protect.

Warning: Contains two people who don’t like each other very much, a Toyota that can’t quite handle the road trip home, and a spontaneous proposal. Or two. Or three. And foreplay with—what else—pie filling.

EXCERPT :

The urge to kiss him was nearly overpowering. “You have to stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Being so…all of this.”

“Sexy?” he suggested with a grin. “Hot? Hard to resist?”

She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t stop her smile. “Yes. All of it.”

“You think I’m hard to resist?” He sounded surprised.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

His smile changed from cocky to something much warmer. Her entire body felt it.

“It’s really, really fun, isn’t it?” he asked.

It really, really was. But she couldn’t shake the weirdness of it. This was Marc after all. Marc who had come to Wyoming to keep her away from Luke…

And that was what was bugging her.

“You’re very attentive for a guy who doesn’t like me much.”

“Until a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t like you at all.”

“Thanks for clarifying. And for making my point.”

“You’re wondering why I’m suddenly so…”

“Attentive is the word I’m most comfortable with.”

He chuckled. “Okay, you’re wondering why I’m suddenly so attentive.”

She wasn’t sure she wanted the answer to her next question. “Because you don’t want me with Luke?”

He crossed his arms and leaned his hip against the back counter. “I don’t want you with Luke.”

“Are you trying to make him look bad?” She regretted it as soon as she’d said it.

He looked very interested in that. “What does that mean?”

She shook her head. “Never mind. Forget it.”

She started to move past him, but he caught her arm and pulled her around to face him.

“I’m making him look bad?”

“You’re not trying?”

“Dammit, Seattle.” He hadn’t let go of her yet and he pulled her closer. He sounded intent rather than annoyed. “Tell me how I’m making him look bad.”

“You’re making me want you more than I want him.”

I want to thank Erin Nicholas for visiting here today, and remind everyone that Erin is giving away some really great prizes, including a grand prize of an Anything You Want Apple Pie Pack—red and white tote filled with red pot holders, a red & white apple apron and towel set, apple pie cookbook, gourmet apple pie filling and an apple pie scented candle to one randomly drawn commenter (US/Canada only please) and choice of an eBook from her backlist to one commenter at every stop. So be sure to leave your e-mail address to win.

And here is a link to Long and Short Reviews and the lovely 5 book review that Anything You Want received.

Anything You Want