Roughrider by Shawna Moore & Interview


I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate more than you should've. I know I did. :-) Today I'm thankful to have my friend as a guest here--sizzling-hot erotica/ erotic romance author Shawna Moore.

NN: Welcome, Shawna! Wow, what a sexy cover! Please tell us about ROUGHRIDER.

SM: Rabid curiosity clashes with criminal minds and escalates the drama in a small town where love and loyalties are harder won than any rodeo trophies.

Roughrider is an edgy romantic story pivoted by sex and suspense. Two childhood friends are the central characters. They’ve never dared admitting or acting on their mutual attraction and basest desires. Kimberly Taylor is a hard-working woman who operates a Western Outfitting business. She’s feisty, a perfect foil and irresistible conflict for Jack. Kim’s ready to take a break from her business, begin her sexual odyssey and let her playful side emerge, Jack Dodson’s latest life changes are forcing him to become more serious about how he approaches reality and fantasy. A decade has passed since their last meeting. I decided the best way to give Kim a well-deserved vacation and force her to face her unspoken, unfulfilled desires was by returning her to Jack’s hometown of Mesa Junction and putting her directly in the path of her ultimate temptation. This story is all about finding that special person with whom you can share some of your most intimate secrets and indulge some of your wildest sexual fantasies. She knows she'll always have a friend in Jack, but she wants more. The only way she'll ever find out if he feels the same way is by revisiting the small town where love and loyalties are harder won than any rodeo trophy. That’s how Kim and Jack will have a chance at turning a platonic relationship into a passionate one.

NN: Sounds smokin' hot! What is the story behind the story?

SM: I’ve always enjoyed watching older Western movies on television. While checking out shows one afternoon, I came across a movie about cattle driving. An idea for Jack’s hero sprang to mind as the commercials aired, so I muted the television, grabbed a writing tablet and jotted ideas. Needless to say, I turned off the television before the movie resumed and wrote the first several chapters without taking a break.

During my childhood, my grandfather shared his Zane Grey novels with me, and my mother was an avid reader of romance fiction. Among her favorites were cowboy heroes featured in category romances.

NN: I always find it interesting to know what sparked a certain story idea. Please tell us about the hero of this story.

SM: Jack Dodson has suffered some major setbacks and losses. As a result, he realizes money and fame aren’t driving forces in his life. He’s a rugged, salt-of-the-Earth-type guy who’s left the rodeo circuit behind and is focused on settling down with a steady ranch-managing position. He lives as hard as he loves, works as hard as he plays, fights for justice and for those he loves. He is very much a protector, and he has also very closely guarded his romantic feelings for Kim. Kim proves her caring and concern when she gives her curiosity free rein in a troubling matter involving Jack and his mother.

NN: How are the Ellora's Cave Exotika books different from their other erotic romance books?

SM: Exotika is Ellora’s Cave’s line for erotica. As such, Exotika stories may or may not include a romance. They focus on a woman’s positive sexual experience and gratification. Of note, both of my Exotikas, HELLE IN HEELS and ROUGHRIDER, feature a romance. In erotic romances, the romance is at least fifty percent of the storyline and there is always the happily-ever-after readers have come to expect and adore. In Exotika erotica, you’ll find edgier stories where the heroines may explore myriad avenues for their sexual pleasure, and the endings may or may not include romantic commitment. Bolder, sexual scenarios are included as are multiple sexual partners in some of the stories. The focus doesn’t have to be on monogamy as it does in erotic romance. I enjoy the creative freedom of writing Exotika/erotica and Romantica/erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave and letting the characters and plot dictate which of these lines fits their fictional circumstances.

NN: Do you have a question for blog readers?

SM: During the holiday season, we all have so many things demanding our attention. What is your ultimate way of de-stressing when a bit of spare time comes your way?

Mine is preparing a warm mug of cocoa, putting on a pair of plush spa slippers and curling up with a romance, women's fiction or erotica novel. Transporting myself to the fictional world created by a fellow author and living vicariously through the characters is always a pleasure and sloughs off the stress of the season.

My beloved mom used to say I was born asking questions. But I also love answering them. If you have any questions for me, or topics you'd enjoy discussing, feel free to post them to the wonderful Fierce Romance blog. Blessings and bounty to all this holiday season!

NN: Thanks so much for being here, Shawna! I've enjoyed it! Everyone please visit Shawna Moore's website to learn more about her hot stories.
***
PS... you still have time to enter my November contest. Just post a comment on my November 15 blog entry below or join my mailing list. Thanks

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Shawna. I love those cowboys and your cover is a thing of dreams in itself. I grew up in love with Clint Eastwood. I wish they would have made some of his western movies a little hotter. Are you working on another western at this time?

Anonymous said...

Hmmm. De-stressing. I'm with you on the hot cocoa and good book relaxing moment. Add a fire to that, and it's perfect. Zappos has some of the most adorable spa slippers. Check it out, Shawna. Love your comments on Jack. Beautiful cover.

ShawnaMoore said...

Hi, Susan!

We watched all of Clint Eastwood's movies at my mom and dad's. They were both big fans of the Westerns, and mom loved reading those cowboy heroes in category romances :) I agree some of those movies should have had a little more steam heat and sexual tension. Glad you enjoyed my Roughrider cover. It's my favorite and likely to remain so :) May you and yours have all the bounty and blessings of the holiday season!

Shawna

ShawnaMoore said...

Hi, Elen!

Jack is one of my top two favorites of the heroes I've written. A man every woman would want to have and hold. The cover image for Roughrider is a perfect match for Jack :) Glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks for the recommendation at Zappos. Must go and check out those slippers! Blessings and bounty for you and yours!

Shawna

Unknown said...

Great cover! This looks like a great western to add to my TBR pile :)

ShawnaMoore said...

Hi, Kim!

Thanks for the cover compliments :) Whip-wielding Jack definitely steams up my screen :) Hope you enjoy Roughrider. I've more Westerns planned for my writing future. Drop me a note and let me know your thoughts.

Here's wishing you and yours all the best for the holiday season and well beyond!

Shawna

Jeanne said...

Love cowboys! LOL
Destressing for me is taking out my guitar and singing. The melodies soothe me or rouse me, but always de-stress me!
Hope you had a happy!
Jeanne
http://www.jeannebarrack.com

Anonymous said...

Hiya Shawna!

I'm going to post again. I want to win your contest! My last post went into Cyber Never Never Land!

Nothing more relaxing than brisk walk in the fall, followed by fireplace break with cup of Vienna Cafe'. DH and/or pup share walk. They have to wait for me. I'm more of a stroller than a walker.

Both your books make for great fireside companions.

Have a great weekend and a great holiday season.

Pet.

ShawnaMoore said...

Hey Jeanne!

Those cowboy heroes are pretty hard to resist, aren't they? :) Have to agree with you about music and its soothing, de-stressing abilities. Music has always brought joy to my life, and I enjoy singing. Haven't played the guitar in many years. All the calluses are long gone :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend to the max, and thanks for sharing your de-stressing tip :)

Shawna

ShawnaMoore said...

Hey Pet!

Hope you're having fun this holiday weekend! Brisk walks are the best! And sometimes strolling is in order. A slower pace lets us soak up all the beauty around us and focus on what we love about our surroundings :)

Many thanks for your kind words about my EC books. You've been there with support since almost the beginning and always offered sage advice :) I've more adventures for Helle in mind and also more cowboy tales to tell :) Oh, and I promise to keep them steamy so they chase away the fall and winter chill!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend to the max!

Shawna

Lesa said...

Hi Shawna, at the risk of repeating what everyone else has said about Roughriders cover model *shewolf whistle* If I was single I wouldn't mind sharing that Cowpoke's bedroll. *grins* Smokin hot!!!!

How do I de-stress, I find wrapping presents very relaxing. I've wrapped so many presents over the years I can do it on auto pilot. Also knowing I am getting something out of the way that needs doing, adds to my relaxation.

Reading a book for enjoyment and relaxation is year round thing for me. I'd love a fire right now but the wood needs another year to season. I hate a smokey fire..

ShawnaMoore said...

Hi, Lesa!

That hunky cover model doesn't mind repeat compliments :) Many thanks for your kind words. I was really excited how well he meshed with the character as I'd written him.

What a great way to relax, too. I can well understand how package wrapping sloughs off stress. The motions of folding, contouring and smoothing result in a gorgeous finished gift that makes one proud. Thanks for sharing :)

May your holiday season be filled with magical moments and bring fond memories :)

Shawna

Nicole North said...

Aside from reading, my favorite way to relax and unwind is to watch a movie or TV show I love.
:)

ShawnaMoore said...

Hi, Nicole!

I do the same thing with the syndicated episodes of Daniel Boone :) As a reward for a good stint of writing, editing or plotting, I occasionally lounge and watch an enjoyable program for an hour. Nip Tuck, 24 and Dirty Sexy Money are also shows I enjoy watching :)

Shawna

Anonymous said...

Hi Shawna!

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you come up with the Best titles and have covers worthy to drool over!

We sure share a love for hunky cowboys. :)

To release some stress, I like to have a couple of glasses of wine, put some music on, read or jump into a story I'm writing.

Happy Holidays Girlfriend!

Kelly Cournoyer

Carol Ericson said...

Hi Shawna, a belated welcome to Fierce Romance! Great to have you here. What everyone else wrote about that cover - mmmmm. I used to love Clint Eastwood too.

My favorite ways to de-stress are by sitting in my front yard in the sun with a book and a Diet Coke watching my boys skateboard, and to sing really loudly in the car.

ShawnaMoore said...

Hey Kelly!

Many thanks for your compliments of my titles and covers :) Most times, my titles are in place before the writing process begins. I choose something relative to theme, character or sometimes a line from the story. My beloved mom really enjoyed when authors pulled a line or a couple words from the story as the title. She'd mention finding the reference on page such and such :) Another one of my fond memories of the dear woman who positively influenced my life more than any other. If not for her, I likely wouldn't be writing stories today.

I'm definitely planning on featuring more rugged, cowboy-type heroes in the future. They've always been one of my favorites, too :) I jested with hubby that someday I want to pose beside my cover model for ROUGHRIDER wearing the cowgirl hat I found in Dallas while attending RWA National.

Your de-stressing idea sounds perfect :) Very relaxing and positive-mood-inducing. Write away and enjoy a terrific week, girlfriend!

Shawna

ShawnaMoore said...

Hi, Carol!

Mega thanks for the welcome :) It's wonderful being here and part of the Fierce Romance blog :)

Ah, another woman who loves singing loudly while driving :) One of life's true pleasures. Give me t hose tunes from the 60s and early-mid 70s and I'm in my glory. Singing always puts me in a good mood. On occasion, I get out the records and cassettes and flex the vocal cords. While in school I always participated in choral groups. Loved the auditions, too. Music makes the whole body smile :)

Shawna