Beth Kery

What should readers know about your books before they buy them?
I would like them to know that I put my all into my books—every one. A hot, erotic read is a top priority for me, but so is rich characterization, an interesting plot with some good twists, and a compelling, emotionally fulfilling relationship between my hero and heroine. My books are far, far from being conventional, but I do have to say that readers who enjoy traditional romance in additon to erotic romance likely will find a nice blend of the two genres in my work.

Are any of your books interrelated and do I have to read them in order?
Yes, the Subtle Lovers books are a series that I did for Ellora’s Cave. They include, in order, SUBTLE MAGIC, SUBTLE TOUCH, SUBTLE RELEASE, SUBTLE DESTINY and SUBTLE VOYAGE. More are in the works. They don’t require being read in order, but I think they would be more enjoyable that way.

SUBTLE MAGIC is the first book in this paranormal/fantasy series. The heroes of Subtle Lovers are a mysterious race of beings called Watchers. Watchers are primarily subtle energy beings that crave a physical body above all else. The best way that can become corporeal is by metabolizing the rarified energies that human women release during orgasm. Given the nature of their unique existence, it’s no wonder that Watchers are highly expert at harvesting their unique brand of food in abundance! But only the rarest, most unique type of human woman has the strength to gift a Watcher with a fully functioning physical body. The women powerful enough to become Watcher mates possess special paranormal gifts because of their strength in the subtle realms.

FAIRY TAILS and FOUNTAIN OF PLEASURE are also connected. Important for readers to know is that they are not a series. They are a serial, so one story leads directly into the other.

What do you think readers will enjoy most about the Subtle Lovers Series?
The fact that it is total escapist fun, that it has all the elements of a classic romance with the added bonus of loads of steamy sex scenes, those hunky, divine Watchers and the way they powerfully hunger for human women sexually and yet worship them like the Goddess in flesh.

What inspired you to write erotic romance in general and this series in specific?
I love romance, but the only stuff that used to be available was always…lacking, to say the least. I think women are a lot more complex in their sexuality and in what they find appealing in regard to romance than most of the population—including a lot of women—ever realized.

In regard to the second part of the question, I’ve always found any kind of myth that relates to supernatural beings sexually craving human women to be fascinating—I mean, who wouldn’t? There’s everything from the Greek gods, to faerie myth, the incubi, fallen angels, and beings from other planets (Zecharia Stichin’s books, for instance, or all of the UFO mythology.) Watchers are sort of a combination of all of those—and more. It was just too sexy and fun to pass up.

Do your books have a HEA (Happily-Ever-After)?
Yes.

What are your heroes and heroines like?
My heroes are definitely dominant, alpha males but they are each complex and different in their own way. My heroines are diverse as well, but I would say one common similarity is that they are very strong, psychologically speaking. They aren’t Buffy the Vampire Slayer types but they are all fearless and unstoppable when it comes to down to danger, getting what they most desire or keeping their loved ones safe. One of the themes of my writing is the complementary aspects of the hero and heroine—how their characters fit together like a puzzle or template. He is drawn to her psychological/emotional strengths and she grows under the influence of his more physical, bold masculinity.

What do you hope readers take with them after reading one of your books?
It would make me happiest if they wanted to recommend it to a friend that doesn’t normally read erotic romance…and feel really good about doing it. I hope they’ll take the story and the characters with them for awhile—that it will linger in the mind like a good story should.

What do you hope they will understand about (erotic) romantic fiction and/or about you?
That erotic romantic fiction can be unique, smart, inspiring and fun and that people who read it or write it can be the same.

When are your next books coming out?

SUBTLE VOYAGE: September 10, 2008 Ellora’s Cave.
WICKED BURN: December, 2008, Berkley Sensation.
DARING TIME: May, 2009, Berkley Sensation.
SWEET RESTRAINT: August, 2009, Berkley Heat.
PARADISE RULES: December, 2009, Berkley Heat.

What about future, contracted works?

FLIRTING IN TRAFFIC: Cerridwen, 2009.
UNTITLED: Ellora’s Cave, 2009

Where do you get your ideas
Most of them come to me while I’m in traffic with my stereo playing really loud. Go figure.

How many books do you usually write a year?
Last year I wrote eight. This year, it looks like I’ll have five full length novels under my belt, and hopefully I’ll squeeze in a novella in, as well.

What do you like most about being a writer?
Finishing a book! It really is rewarding. I find that I have a sort of tension level that will NOT go away until I finish a book. When I finally send it in to my editor it feels so great. Until the next book idea pops into my head in traffic, that is.

How much research do you do and how do you do it?
I do a ton of research. I read books avidly before I begin writing and also do online research. For the Subtle Lovers series, for instance, there are many occult and magical concepts and references in them. The same is true for my novel FIRE ANGEL, which is a paranormal that takes place during the height of the Spiritualist movement in London in the 1890’s.

Does reader’s feedback help you with your writing? Is feedback something that is very important to you?
Feedback is very important to me and I would love to hear from readers.

Any advice to aspiring writers?
If you really love to do it, it will come. Also, read, read, read.