Larissa Ione Talks About Her Latest Book Releases


Today I'm thrilled to say we have talented, versatile author Larissa Ione with us, talking about her upcoming releases.

NN: Welcome, Larissa! I'm glad you're here. Please tell us about your story, "Wet Dreams" in Secrets Volume 21 which is out this month.

LI: Well, it’s the story of a federal agent who hates the water and can’t swim, who gets trapped on a boat in the ocean in the middle of a storm. Oh, and he’s been shot, and bad guys are in pursuit. Fun! *g* Here’s the blurb: Injured and on the run, DHS agent Brent Logan needs is a miracle. What he gets is Wet Dream, a sport-fishing boat owned by Marina Summers, whose fledgling business is now in jeopardy, thanks to Brent. Pursued by killers, ravaged by a fierce storm, and plagued by engine troubles, they can do little but spend their final hours immersed in sensual pleasure. But soon they discover that the danger they face on the high seas is nothing compared to the danger to their hearts…

NN: Sounds sexy and full of adventure. My favorite kind! What inspired this story?

LI: Well, I’ve always wanted to do a boat story, but I didn’t want it to be a “pleasure boat” story, if that makes sense. I also wanted to do something different and challenging for myself – I’d been writing mainly character-driven stories, and I wanted to try my hand at something more action-packed and plot-driven. So with the help of my Coast Guard husband, I came up with the story of a sport-fishing boat captain and ex-paramedic who wants to get her fledgling business off the ground, and a federal agent who wants to remain on dry ground. Neither gets their wish!

NN: You are also part of the writing team, Sydney Croft, aren't you? Is writing with a partner easier or more difficult than writing alone?

LI: Yes, I’m half of the Sydney Croft team. Stephanie Tyler is the other half, though we argue about who is the better half! *g* And for the most part, it is SO much easier to write with her than it is to write alone! There’s an energy there that doesn’t exist when writing alone. It’s so fun to play off what she writes, and usually, I have no idea what she’s going to write. We plot very, very loosely, and much of what happens during the course of the stories comes organically as the characters develop. I would say that the only drawback is that you’re at the mercy of another person’s schedule, and at the whims of the internet gremlins. Sometimes you can’t move ahead until you talk to your partner or until they’ve seen your scene or whatever, and if either one of you is having internet issues, you’re sort of screwed. That can be really hard.

NN: Interesting! I've always wondered how writing partnerships worked. How are the Sydney Croft books different from the books you write as Larissa Ione or your Secrets stories?

LI: Well, the Sydney novels are very erotic and very fast-paced with lots of action. They have a very science-fiction/superhero feel to them that just makes them fun. My Secrets stories are erotic, but not at the level of the Sydney books. Snowbound (Samhain) is the tamest book I’ve written, at a Harlequin Temptation/Blaze heat level, and is very much a character story. But my newest work, my Demonica series coming next summer from Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner,) is super dark, gritty, and paranormal – a departure from anything else I’ve done, but honestly, I think it’s my truest voice. I love to write sexy and dark. There’s a freedom there that I love. Again, these books aren’t at the erotic level that the Sydney novels are, though with heroes who are incubi (sexual demons) the plots are inherently sexy. Also, the Sydney Croft books have a military twist to them – many of the characters are ex-military, and the ACRO series centers around a super-secret, paranormal paramilitary organization. With all of the Larissa Ione books, you’ll find strong medical elements. In Flesh To Fantasy, from Secrets Volume 18, the hero is a paramedic. In Wet Dreams, from Volume 21, the heroine is an ex-paramedic who finds her way back. In Snowbound, the hero is an EMT/ski patroller. In the Demonica series, the action centers around a demon hospital, and the hero of the first book is a doctor, the hero of the second is a paramedic. So definitely, there’s a distinct difference between the Sydney Croft books and the Larissa Ione books.

NN: They all sound fascinating and extremely creative! Thanks for visiting with us today!

LI: Thank you so much for interviewing me, Nicole! It’s been fun, and I look forward to reading YOUR Secrets stories when they come out!

NN: Thank you, Larissa!!! Everyone, please visit Larissa's website at: http://www.larissaione.com/ My question for you blog readers today is... if you write, have you tried writing with a partner and how did that go? Or have you tried doing any type of creative project with a partner?

6 comments:

Larissa Ione said...

Thanks again, Nicole! Hope you've had a productive day -- me...not so much! :) Out Christmas shopping!

Cynthia Eden said...

Great interview! Wow--so many wonderful books--and with those Demonica books coming, looks like I'll be getting lots of books by Larissa!

Carol Ericson said...

I've already read Wet Dreams, and it's fab! Gotta love that Secrets 21 cover too! LOL Sounds like you're going to have a busy year, Larissa. Thanks for dropping by. Carol/Mia

Natasha Moore said...

Hey Larissa! Can't wait to get my hands on Wet Dreams, sounds great.

I've never written with a partner. I can understand how working together would be very energizing, but I don't know if I could give up that much control :)

Larissa Ione said...

Whaa...I can't get my comment to post! :(

But if this works...thanks, ladies!

Cynthia, I finally got my first Demonica cover, and I can't wait to post it!

Carol, I'm so glad you liked Wet Dreams!

Natasha, I can't wait to get my hands on YOUR Secrets volume! *g*

Nicole North said...

Thanks for doing the interview, Larissa!! I enjoyed it!
:)