What got you started in writing?
I enjoy reading about the unique emotional and physical dynamic of female/female erotic romance. Lesbian romance is not as popular as M/F or even M/M so the selection is fairly limited. I decided to write the type of book I'd like to read.
How did you feel when you got that first acceptance?
The excitement of "OMG - I'm going to be a published author!" turned to the fear of "OMG - I'm going to be a published author!" I'm still scared!
What's your biggest challenge as a brand new author?
My biggest challenge is developing an author presence and letting readers know my work exists. An added challenge of writing f/f is knocking down the f/f barrier. I find this sub-genre can be taboo in some erotic reading circles. My stories are romance first and lesbian second. They're about two people falling in love who happen to both be women. I look forward to the day LGBT labels are unnecessary.
What's next for you?
I'm finishing the first draft of a contemporary f/f story set in Paris. European dress designer meets slightly geeky IT girl from New York. It's a little Devil Wears Prada-ish. I'm still kicking around the title.
Tell us about your newest release.
Bella Key by Scarlet Chastain
Release date: May 3rd from Evernight Publishing
Blurb:
Maddie Jacobs mus be crazy. At least that's what her mother thinks. Professionally, she's confident and secure; personally, she's a hot mess. Not even a marriage proposal from a man who adores her can quell her search for something more.
In need of an escape, Maddie flees to Key West's most southern island, Bella Key, to rest and recharge at Casa Bonita. She almost gives up on the weekend retreat when the Bed & Breakfast is closed for repairs until Sunny Rojas, the inn owner, extends an offer of friendship, sweet tea, and a room. Still reeling from a breakup with her longtime partner, Sunny is thankful for the diversion from her own broken heart.
The arrival of a fierce storm forces the women's emotional journey to a head and leads them into each other's arms. But can Maddie throw her hangups to the wind and go with her heart? The magic of Bella Key teaches her that passion cannot be placed neatly into boxes labeled right and wrong, because love knows no boundaries.
Excerpt:
“Good shower?”
Maddie stopped in the doorway, holding the knot of her towel to her
chest. Wet strands of hair produced rivulets of water streaming down her
shoulders and chest. “Like a new woman. Although, my northern skin can’t handle
the tropical sun. Look at my shoulders!” Sunny’s gaze moved from one shoulder
to another. Maddie was right, she was more than sun-kissed. Her shoulders
practically glowed. “Oh, chica. That’s an angry burn you have there. I have
some aloe —” Sunny picked up and put down five different bottles from her
dressing table. “—ah, here it is. This’ll ease the pain and cut down on the
peeling, too.”
Sunny flipped the top and squeezed a quarter-sized dab of the green gel
into her palm. She nodded toward her bed, signaling Maddie to sit. Rubbing the
aloe between her palms, she rested one knee on the bed beside her. Maddie
gathered her wet hair and flipped it over her shoulder to allow Sunny access to
the other. Her body shivered under Sunny’s hands.
“Sorry, this stuff’s cold. I tried to warm it up a little.”
Maddie closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side. “It’s not that.
It feels good on the burn. You have a gentle touch.”
Sunny chuckled. “Scooch over a little so I can get your other side.”
Maddie shifted, lifting her feet onto the bed and tucking them under her
legs Indian style. Sunny guided her head forward and massaged the aloe along
the base of her neck to her shoulder blades, and down to the edge of the fluffy
towel. She bent her knee, providing an anchor for Maddie to lean upon. Her
inner thighs grazed the thick towel. Sunny closed her eyes and focused not only
on Maddie’s sunburned skin, but also on loosening the muscles along her
shoulders and upper back.
“I have a confession to make,” Maddie said quietly.
“Other than this is the best massage you’ve ever received?” Sunny
snorted.
“Mmm. That too. I-I watched you last night.” Maddie went a few seconds
without taking a breath.
Sunny didn’t waver. “I know you did. You were outside of my door.”
“You knew? Why didn’t you stop or say something?” Maddie kept her eyes
closed but turned her head toward Sunny as she spoke.
Sunny added another dab of aloe to her palm. “I liked that you were
watching me. It turned me on that you enjoyed it too.”
“Never in my life had I thought I’d be attracted, you know, sexually to
a woman. It’s different with you. Many things are different with you.” Maddie’s
hand trembled as she touched Sunny’s leg, tracing an imaginary line up and down
her calf. The rapid rise and fall of Maddie’s back matched the pounding in
Sunny’s chest.
Silence filled the room. Sunny had decided against bringing up the
episode from the night before unless Maddie did. Now that it was out in the
open, Sunny could find out how Maddie felt for sure. “Different, how?”
“You make me feel so focused and honest and alive. I’ve never had that
with anyone else before.” Maddie turned and kneeled in front of Sunny. “Would
it be forward if I asked you to kiss me?”
Sunny swallowed hard. “Yes, but I like forward,” she whispered as she
cupped Maddie’s face with her palms. Dragging her thumb over Maddie’s bottom
lip she realized how many times she wanted to taste her lips and explore her
mouth over the past two days. Sunny lowered her face and brushed her lips once
over Maddie’s. She drew back to study Maddie’s reaction.
“Again,” Maddie whispered,
her eyes remained closed.
Find
Bella Key here:
Author
Bio:
Scarlet
Chastain is the semi-secret pseudonym of a multi-published, best selling author
of sensual erotic romance. Scarlet's focus is female-centric sizzling stories
written about women, for women.
She lives in
the suburban shadows of New York City but her heart belongs to the beaches of
Key West. Scarlet can usually be found in her favorite chair of her newly
acquired writing cave with her maltipoo, Coco.
Stalk Scarlet
here:
Website: http://scarletchastain.com
Twitter:
@scarletchastain
Email: scarletchastain@gmail.com
Thanks for having me over for a visit, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteI loved sharing BELLA KEY with your readers. :)
Awesome Excerpt! I can't wait to get my hands on this! I don't find many good f/f
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