Michelle Pillow has stopped by today to tell us about her latest release Degrees of Passion and whatever other tidbits we can get out of her! And she has graciously offered a free download to one commenter on the blog.
Beth: Thanks so much for joining us, Michelle!
Michelle:Thanks for having me!!
Beth: Blab a bit about yourself…the person as opposed to the writer (If you can pry the identities apart, that is.)
Michelle: Writing is such an all consuming job. Even when I’m vacationing, or out to eat, or watching a movie trying to relax, my head is still working—creating character, scenes and book ideas. It can be hard to separate sometimes, especially when on a creative role. Though, I do have interests outside of writing. I do freelance photography, own a business or four, get tackled by my English Bulldogs. I love new experiences, researching and learning. It’s why writing fits so well into my life.
Beth: I know people often ask about the finished product of a book, but is there a book writing that stands out to you as being particularly wonderful…even magical? If so, which book was it for, and why did creating that story seem unique?
Michelle: Books that came to mind when you asked that are the ones that I was so excited to write because they were secondary characters from a previous book and I feel in love with them. Then, when I finally get to tell their story, which is completely laid out in my head, the darn hero does his own thing, changes the book on me, and it’s a fight between us from start to finish. Reid from Lords of the Var: The Rogue Prince was like that. As was book two of Realm Immortal, Faery Queen.
Beth: Have you ever had an ‘impact’ event that had a significant effect on your writing career: meeting another author, reading a certain book, being accepted by a longed-for publisher, getting hit over the head…?
Michelle: I think meeting and joining forces with author, Mandy Roth made a huge difference in the course of my career. It’s great to have someone you just click with and we’ve been great friends from the very start. We’ve hit several milestones together, have written joint books, and run The Raven together. Writing can be a very lonely business and I think it’s important to have someone there who can balance you, support you, tell you to stop whining and kick your backside into gear when you need it.
Beth If you could have a heart to heart chat with any writer, living or dead, who would it be?
Michelle: Oh, Jane Austin. I’d love to see how her mind works and if she could ever imagine the impact and longevity her stories had.
Beth: A woman after my own heart. I worship Jane. Degrees of Passion, your newest release, has a heroine who has a huge loan debt from being a ‘professional student.’ (Um…sounds a bit similar to my twenties.) What inspired you to write this sexy contemporary?
Michelle: I love writing the Matthews Sisters books. Each woman is unique with quirks and hang-ups, and Sasha in book four (Degrees of Passion) is no different. A perpetual college student constantly switching majors, she has a hard time deciding what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Not completely unlike me. And, where I might be a little more debt conscious than Sasha, my life is constantly evolving and I’m constantly learning. If someone told me I had to pick one career and do it forever, I’d panic.
Degrees of Passion
Michelle M. Pillow
Virgin Books (Cheek Imprint)
November 25, 2008
$12.95 USD
ISBN-10: 0352345004
ISBN-13: 978-0352345004
Blurb
The second college student Sasha Matthews spotted Trevor Kingston she knew it was fate. He’s everything a girl could want—handsome, charming, rich. With student loans piling up and no clear idea what she wants to do with her future, he’s the best thing she has going. But, Mr Perfect’s façade begins to crumble when she sees him photographed with another woman in the newspaper’s society pages.
Breaking up with her high society boyfriend, a distraught Sasha finds comfort in the arms of moody, hard working Kevin Merchant whose cuteness is overshadowed by his know-it-all attitude. One drunken night of passion is hardly the start of a relationship and when Trevor wants her back the choice seems clear.
In order to graduate Sasha must participate in an important internship. But, she’s paired with the very guy she’s swore never to see again. Forced to work alongside Kevin, long hours in the lab turn into tempting nights of seduction. Should she deny what’s between them and await the return of her ideal boyfriend, or will life teach her lessons this professional student never expected to learn?
Michelle’s Bio
Michelle M Pillow, Author of All Things Romance, is a multi-published, award winning author writing in many romance fiction genres including futuristic, paranormal, historical, contemporary, fantasy and dark paranormal. She was the winner of the 2006 RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, nominated for the 2007 RT Award, a Brava Novella Contest Finalist and a PAN member of RWA.
She co-hosts a weekly radio talk show, Raven Radio, which was recently mentioned in Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine.
Readers and Listeners can contact her through her website www.michellepillow.com.
Links
Michelle’s website
Michelle’s Blog
Michelle’s Newsletter
The Raven
This site is co-owned with Author Mandy M. Roth
Weekly Radio Show
Free ongoing story for readers
Blog
Yahoo Chat Group
Great interview and the book sounds awesome – as always! I greatly enjoy your work Michelle and am always happy to hear about a new release!
by Robin Snodgrass January 5th, 2009 at 12:10 pmHi Michelle,
I’ve followed your career from the begining and almost have all your books. It’s been marvellous to see you grow and I get excited about each book that comes out.
You rock, woman. Keep up the good work!!!
And hows that handsome husband of yours?
Hehe!!
Valerie
by Valerie January 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pmThis book sounds wonderful! In fact I think I have another one of the Matthews Sisters books on my shelf somewhere. :)
by Anne Sorgeson January 5th, 2009 at 12:22 pmBeth – Thanks again for having me!!
Robin – Thank you!! :)
Val – Huh, he’s huddled in the closet right now whispering “She cant find me”. Strange…. LOL.
Hi Anne – I loved writing these. They were such a different tone and pace than my other works.
by Michelle M Pillow January 5th, 2009 at 1:38 pmYeah, very strange!!!
by Valerie January 5th, 2009 at 1:40 pmgreat interview
by angie January 5th, 2009 at 1:51 pmmandy what got you started on writing or was it somthing you always wanted to do ?
Hi Angie, I met Mandy after I had my first contract and was promoting my first book. It’s always something I’ve done. I don’t know what got me started. I think it was the urge to create something permanent from nothing, same with photographs.
by Michelle M Pillow January 5th, 2009 at 1:54 pmi ment michelle i have mandy on the brian today, i called my sister mandy today her name is maureen ~:(
by angie January 5th, 2009 at 1:54 pmLOL. No problem. I just read it like you were asking me if Mandy got me started writing. I thought it a perfectly logical question. … Actually, I often get her fan mail and she gets mine. LOL, we just forward it to the right place.
by Michelle M Pillow January 5th, 2009 at 2:22 pmHi Michelle, great interview questions and answers. I am one of 4 sisters myself, and really enjoy your Matthew sister’s stories. Always have one of your books on my wish list.
by Cathy M January 5th, 2009 at 2:41 pmThanks Cathy! :) I had a ton of sisters growing up. Or maybe it just felt like a ton, lol
by Michelle M Pillow January 5th, 2009 at 2:42 pmHi, Beth and Michelle! Thanks for the terrific interview–I’ve read book two of the Matthews sisters without realizing it was part of a series–now I have to go back for book one, and then how exciting! There are two more after! Did you start off knowing it was going to be a series? (I do love a series, especially ones about brothers or sisters, for some reason.)
by Fedora January 5th, 2009 at 3:46 pmH Michelle,
I saw on the Samhain Cafe loops that you were being interviewed. I was first introduced to your writing in 2007 when you sent copies of Along for the Ride to our Reader’s luncheon.
And you’re right about writing being a lonely business. That’s why I love NanoWriMo get- togethers or just going to a bookstore to amongst people.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Julie
by Julie Robinson January 5th, 2009 at 3:50 pmMichelle, that was a very interesting interview. I am still wondering about the ‘own a business or four’ part. LOL! You must be super busy.
I love the sound of your Degrees of Passion Michelle. Good luck with it.
Sandie
by Sandie E January 5th, 2009 at 4:00 pmFedora – Yes, the publisher contracted it as a series. I love writing series and as a reader, I always love to see cameos of former heros and heroines in a book. :) There are four books total in the series.
Julie – Hi, Along for the Ride is one of the times I when with a more alpha female and laidback hero. Glad you all got the books!
Sandie- Thanks :) LOL, I love being busy. I’m one of those people who goes crazy without something to occupy my mind and time.
by Michelle M Pillow January 5th, 2009 at 4:55 pmLooks like another fabulous book Michelle!
Great Interview Ladies!!
by Yvonne January 5th, 2009 at 5:06 pmThanks Yvonne. :)
by Michelle M Pillow January 5th, 2009 at 5:51 pmHi Beth and Michelle!
by Dayanna January 5th, 2009 at 5:51 pmWow two of my favorite authors together, yay!
I have yet to give the Matthews sister a try but i see that am going to have to get those books next. If any of your previous books is any indication then am sure it this one will be a hit!
Hi Dayanna,
by Michelle M Pillow January 5th, 2009 at 6:21 pmWriting sexy contemporaries were a nice change from all the paranormal and futuristic worlds. Hope you like them. :)
Very good interview Beth. This is my first introduction to Michelle and her writing. I am inclined to beleive I will like her stories. Must look her up TOO.
by Jeannette January 5th, 2009 at 6:23 pmJeannette
Jeannette,
Please feel free to visit the website. I genre hop like mad, lol. And email if you need suggestions or have questions. I’m always happy to help :)
Hope you enjoy them!
by Michelle M Pillow January 5th, 2009 at 6:25 pmDegrees of Passion sounds good!
by Amy S. January 5th, 2009 at 9:55 pmI’ve been a fan for years and would have a hard time picking favorites, but I really loved Lords of the Var and the Zhang Dynasty. I’m looking forward to reading your new books.
by Beth aka Scifibookcat January 5th, 2009 at 10:36 pmThanks, Dayanna!
Yeah, I’m always looking for realistic contemporaries, myself. I love an escapist paranormal or fantasy, but sometimes…you just want a good old contemp. There’s escape…and then there’s relate. That’s what I thought of when I read the blurb for Degrees of Passion. The modern world and everyday relationships are harrowing enough as it is…
Maybe we both need to check out the Matthews sisters!
by beth kery January 5th, 2009 at 10:37 pmGreat interview! Michelle, I have the Dragon Lords and was bummed to see The Playful Prince was OOP until I saw that a re-issue was coming. I’m a little anal about reading things in order. Couldn’t get the link to work for the recommended reading order. How about the Galaxy Playmates? Re-issues for them? I see one does. Thanks & Congrats on the books!
by Lynda January 5th, 2009 at 10:59 pmJeanette,
Thanks for stopping by!
Michelle was one of the first writers I ever read at EC. Maiden and the Monster. I loved it. I loved that it still felt like a well-researched historical to me, and had so many familiar ‘romance novel’ qualities…but was HOT! Scorching.
by beth kery January 5th, 2009 at 11:24 pmI’ve said it before. That’s why I started writing erotic. I always wanted the intense romance, but I wanted the full-blown sex, as well.
Maiden and the Monster was my first true knowledge…It can HAPPEN!
And well.
How cool, this is going in my to get list. Bumped up to the top.
by Sarah Ulfers January 6th, 2009 at 2:44 amThanks Amy!
Beth – I love the futuristic worlds!
by Michelle M Pillow January 6th, 2009 at 7:14 pmLynda –
I am currently working on reissuing all the backlist books that have come out of contract (including Galaxy Playmates). Some of them are waiting on finalized paperwork, but I hope to have them up in ebook soon so people like us (in order readers, lol) can at least get their hands on them.
You can bookmark this link for backlist:
by Michelle M Pillow January 6th, 2009 at 7:14 pmhttp://michellepillow.com/ravenbooks/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2
Thanks Sarah!!
Beth – Thanks again for having me. Maiden and the Monster was actually something I wrote before my first book was published. I have several other historicals that I wrote around the same time, in the same style (currently unpubbed). For the longest time, I thought that was all I’d do. I’m one of those “freaky peeps” who LOVES ADORES hours of research. I think being a historian is a dream job. LOL It always tickles me to hear when people liked that book — THANK YOU!!
by Michelle M Pillow January 6th, 2009 at 7:20 pmHi Michelle!
by annalisa January 6th, 2009 at 7:53 pmDragon Lords and Lords of the Var are two of my favorite series books. Loved them! Will they ever be available in print again? I have them in ebook, but only managed to get some of them in print too. Haven’t read your Matthews sisters books yet but they really sound good!
Annalisa- I do hope to have them in print soon. Before I can recontract them for print, they have to be out of their current contracts, so I have nothing to report as of yet. They will be available in ebooks until that time, though. :)
I’ll post the latest news on my blog or in my newsletter, you’re welcome to join if you like: http://www.michellepillow.com/newsletter/?p=subscribe
by Michelle M Pillow January 6th, 2009 at 11:29 pmHi Michelle, I just received this book in the mail, I can’t wait to read it.
by Danielle D January 9th, 2009 at 10:03 amHi all! The winner of the Michelle Pillow contest is Julie Robinson!
Congrats, Julie. I will give Michelle your email in order to contact you.
Thanks to everyone for celebrating Michelle’s good books and recent release!
by Beth Kery January 9th, 2009 at 7:38 pmCongrats Julie!
by Val Pearson January 9th, 2009 at 8:11 pmDanielle- Awesome!! :)
Congrats Julie! I’m sending you an email. If you don’t get it, let us know!
Beth, Thanks so much for having me, it’s been a lot of fun!!
THANKS EVERYONE!!
by Michelle M Pillow January 9th, 2009 at 8:29 pmWhoa!!!! I just got home for the day and saw the RSS feed to this blog. I am so excited! Thank you, thank you—Beth for having Michelle and Michelle for being on Beth’s site
by Julie Robinson January 9th, 2009 at 8:38 pmJulie R.
Thanks Val!
by Julie Robinson January 9th, 2009 at 8:41 pmWhoohoo, congrats to the winner!!!
by Valerie January 10th, 2009 at 10:32 am