It’s week three of blog tour month, and to add to the excitement, there’s an awesome package available for one lucky reader at the end of out tour. A name will be drawn from all the people who have/do post comments on any of the blogs in the tour this month. (I’m over at Amber Leigh Williams’ blog, The Cozy Page today so stop by and say hi.)
Now for Lilly Gayle. I’m so excited to have her here today!Lilly Gayle is a wife, mother, writer, mammographer, and breast cancer survivor. She writes paranormal and historical romance. Her first published novel, OUT OF THE DARKNESS is now available from The Wild Rose Press.
Lauri: Hi Lilly, and thanks so much for being a part of this blog tour. Since we’re all romance writers and readers, tell us what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the romance genre.
Lilly: Romance books are about relationships, character growth, and the all important, happily ever after. It’s not about the sex, although many books contain graphic sex scenes. But even a sex scene has to convey something about the characters’ relationship or personalities. The sex scene has to advance the plot or be a prelude to a plot twist or dark moment. Otherwise, it’s just sex and some readers will actually skip those scenes.
Lauri: That is so true, I’ve definitely skipped a few scenes while reading a book or two. Along those lines, what would be the best piece of writing advice you could give someone writing their first novel?
Lilly: Join RWA. Join your local writer’s group. Make time to write. Read newly published books in the genre you’re writing, not just your favorite writers. Study your craft. And never give up on your dream. Be persistent. Giving up will guarantee failure.
Lauri: Wonderful advice! I agree with it completely. I imagine you have a busy work schedule, and then have writing on top of that, so tell us, what is your favorite leisure time hobby?
Lilly: Sitting on the beach with my Nook or sitting on my camper deck at the beach with a glass of wine and my laptop. There’s just something about the ocean and sea breezes that restores the soul.
Lauri: Oh, that does sound relaxing, and restorative. I love the tagline of your book: Her research could cure his dark hunger if a covert government agent doesn't get to her first. Please tell us more!
Lilly: OUT OF THE DARKNESS takes place in Clarksville, Virginia and Asheville, NCThe hero, Vincent Maxwell is a vampire with a conscience seeking a cure to his dark hunger. And the heroine, Dr. Megan Harper is a research scientist who discovers a possible link between vampire myths and xeroderma pigmentosum, a light sensitivity disorder. It was released in May by The Wild Rose Press.
Lauri: Congrats! It sounds very intriguing. What do you like most about it?
Lilly: Besides the fact that it’s finally published? Lol! OUT OF THE DARKNESS isn’t your typical vampire book. Vincent doesn’t want to be a vampire and Megan doesn’t want to become one so she can be with him. Instead, she vows to help Vincent find a cure for his unholy condition. Here’s a short excerpt:
Her lips parted, and God help him, she
responded just as she had that first time. She
melted against him, pulling his head closer,
taking his tongue deep inside until he was hot
and straining against her.
She tasted so damn good. A heady mix of
wine and woman. Mortal woman.
Warm blooded, mortal woman.
Blood roared through his veins, pounding in
his ears in a primitive rhythm. And the dark
hunger reared its ugly head. A craving for blood
and sex. An uncontrollable yearning.
Lauri: That certainly makes me want to read more! So, what’s next for you?
Lilly: I’m working on the sequel to OUT OF THE DARKNESS. And two of my historical romances have been requested by two different publishers. And next Wednesday, August 25, Amber Leigh Williams will be interviewing me on her blog as part of The Wild Rose Blog tour.
Lauri: You are busy! Where can readers keep updated on your successes?
Lilly: I have a website, blog, and I’m on facebook!
Lauri: Thanks again for being here today, Lilly. Best wishes are all your future adventures!
14 comments:
I have read Lilly's OUT OF THE DARKNESS and recommend the book. The plot turns, the familiar settings and the sexual scenes between Megan and Vincent were a fantastic, a can't put down read and the surprising ending was superb with supporting characters such as very chilling villains.
OUT OF THE DARKNESS is Lilly Gayle's first novel, and I'm waiting with patience until her next novel.
Thanks Lauri for this interview with Lilly. I enjoyed the post.
Ah Ha! Fun to read the interviewer getting interviewed! Your book sounds delicious. Congrats on the soon to be success of your other books as well.
Thanks Becky and Brenda. I am working on a sequel to OTD and have submitted 2 historicals to 2 different publishers. So, hopefully, I'll have another book out in one genre or the other next year. Fingers crossed!
Thanks, again for being here this week, Lilly! I really enjoyed interviewing you!
Oh, Lilly... I love my nook, too. And congrats on your release, but more, your win over cancer. That word hit close to home in my household this last year. Crazy how quickly ones life can change. Lots of luck on your book.
What a pleasure to meet you, Lilly! Thanks for the interview, Lauri! I definitely agree with your description of romance and how sex scenes fit in! Out of Darkness sounds fascinating--looking forward to adding it to my TBR!
Lauri,
Thanks for a great interview. And thanks everyone for visiting. Catherine, I beat breast cancer because I had a screening mammogram that caught the disease before I had any symptoms. I'm a mammographer, so I know what to look for. I did (still do) self breast exams. I had no family history. I had children before age 30. I breast fed. I did not fall into any higher risk category for breast cancer. And yet, there it was on a screening mammogram. My prior mammogram was normal. But 18 months later, there was a lesion next to my chest wall. A "lump" too small and deep to feel. That lesion was caner. And Had I NOT had a screening mammogram at age 47, I would not have found the cancer until it had progressed into a lump I could feel. And since it was right next to my chest wall...well, cancer spreads. And mine didn't because the doctors caught it in time...with a screening mammogram.
So, despite the new government guidelines that say women under 50 don't need a mammogram unless they feel a lump, don't buy into it. If you're 40 or older, get your screening mammogram so you can catch the disease BEFORE you present with symptoms such as a lump. And if your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer younger than age 50, then subtract ten years from her age and that's when YOU should start having screening mammograms. Early detection is your best chance for a survival!
Hi. This looks like a really good book and I love the cover...
-Brandy
brandyzbooks@yahoo.com
Lilly, what a great twist on vampire novels. I love that part of the country--wanted to go there this summer but it didn't work out. Of course, now that I know there are vampires there, maybe it's for the best. LOL
Thanks Brandy and Caroline! And I here there are vampires in all mountainous regions. lol!
I also can't spell hear! lol!
Congrats on your book release. You cannot always listening to the government.
loretta
lbcanton@verizon.net
Great interview! Interesting sounding book.
A great interview, and I agree several 'romance' stories are spoiled by the sex scenes.
I live near the coast aand completely agree about the soothing effect being there has.
I enjoyed the excerpts too.
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