Friday, June 22, 2007

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Selah March was born, grew up, and continues to reside in the northeastern United States. A wife and mother, she has in English Literature, and is published in short fiction and non-fiction under another name. Selah enjoys solitude, long walks after nightfall, and the bracing rigors of a six-month-long winter.




Visit her website at: www.selahmarch.com
Blog: http://selahmarch.blogspot.com


ABOUT THE BOOK:

BLURB:

Erin Mulally needs more drama in her life like she needs another gunshot wound. An ex-cop with a painful past, Erin has returned to her hometown to recuperate from the loss of her career. When she meets Noah Hollis, she knows she’s in trouble, because Noah? Is way too young, way too attractive, and way...way too dating her sister.

Add to that the secrets Noah’s been keeping that involve a dead ex-girlfriend and a gun in the closet, and Erin knows she should stay far away. But sometimes what a girl knows and what a girl does are two very different things...


EXCERPT:

"What the hell, Noah? Are you drunk?" But she already knew the answer to that. He didn't smell of beer or wine or whiskey. The scent rising from him was muted, but she couldn't mistake it from this proximity. She'd experienced it before, rising from the bodies of men thrown down over the hoods of police cruisers, their hands cuffed behind their backs. He smelled like desperation.

He tangled his hands in her hair, pulled her head back and went for her throat, fastening his lips and teeth on her collarbone. The same spot on which he'd left a mark just a month before. There were traces of it still, purple and brown, but she'd quit covering it with makeup, thinking it was faded enough to escape notice. Now it would be dark again. Part of her...the stubborn part that wouldn't listen to reason...the part that got her shot by a seventh grader...was nothing but glad.

She struggled at first. Because that's what a woman's supposed to do in a situation like this. Fight off her attacker, or at least make a good show of it. Except he was coiling like a snake around her, his endless leg hooking behind both of hers to pull her tight against him, and his arms wrapping around her like he meant to crack her ribs. No space to breathe or move. No space for anything but giving in. Why did that feel so good when it shouldn't? When she should hate him for overpowering her?

The first kiss felt like a bare-knuckled brawl in her mouth. She let him have her anger then, and all her frustration. Bit his lip, hard. Tasted copper and liked it. So did he, if the way he snarled was any indication.

Then they were on the cold tile floor. The only sign he wasn't completely out of his mind was the way he lowered her. Not gently, but carefully. Mindfully, politely. Like the bank robber who wishes the teller a nice day.

He humped her good leg as he tore off her T-shirt, ripping it at the neck. Her sweats were gone next, leaving her in nothing but a pair of wool socks. Jesus, those tiles were like ice against her bare ass. Then his tongue was back in her mouth, tasting sour with whatever emotion fired him. Distracting her from whatever he was doing...which was opening and pushing down his jeans because there he was, hot and heavy against her thigh. His fingers fumbled at her nipple, too rough for pleasure, though he was clearly trying to make her want this. And God help her, she did.


INTERVIEW:

Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
I became a writer because I needed to tell stories about the people living in my head. I know that sounds nuts, but ever since I was a small child, I've had imaginary friends. When I was three and four and five years old, they were my playmates. As I grew older, they became the characters from books I read. As I reached adulthood, they turned into original characters from stories I imagined to entertain myself. It took a long time for me to work up the courage to write down what I imagined, but once I began, I couldn't stop. I don't think I'll ever stop, now.

What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
As much as I love my family and friends, I've always preferred solitude to being with other people. Being a writer affords me lots of time alone with my thoughts. The only thing I can think of that I don't enjoy about being a writer is the constant fear of rejection. But as I get older and more experienced, I'm learning to deal with that, too.

How do you balance your personal and writing time?
It's not easy. I have to be very careful about getting lost in imaginary worlds and neglecting my other responsibilities. I work hard to maintain the balance by trying to keep to a routine.

How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
It changes every time. Sometimes I'll see a place -- a setting. Other times, a character begins talking to me. Still other times, a plot will occur to me first.

What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write erotic romance and erotica because I enjoy exploring relationships through the ups and downs -- no pun intended -- of physical intimacy. Often, my stories will include at least one other element -- suspense or a paranormal aspect, or often both -- in addition to the erotic element.

The other important aspect of my stories is that they're almost always about people finding redemption in one way or another, usually through love.

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
It's often a combination.

Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
I'm very fond of Josephine "Joey" Fiorello and Dare Daniels from DIRTY SHAME, my March Amber Quill Press release and part of my recent SIN STREET print collection. Joey and Dare are just extremely likable as people -- funny and smart and compassionate. It was actually difficult for me to put them through hell in DIRTY SHAME because I liked them so much. Of all my characters, they're the ones I'd like to have as friends.

What would you want readers to take away from your books?
I hope my readers take away a strong sense of hope. I believe in redemption, and I write stories about people who keep trying until they find it.

Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Read everything you can get your hands on. Don't stop trying. Quitting is the only guaranteed way to fail.

What are you reading right now?
I'm re-reading Jacqueline Carey's "Kushiel" series. It's amazing.

If you could be anyone or anything that you wanted, who or what would you be?
If you'd asked me that at different points in my life, I would've given several different answers. But right now, I'm very satisfied with who and where I am. I know I'm very lucky to feel that way, and I never take it for granted.


REVIEW:

“There were some emotional moments that touched my heart and other instances where I gasped for breath, eager to see what would unfold next. All in all, Skin Deep was a great read that I enjoyed immensely.”
- Reviewed by: Contessa for Fallen Angel Reviews



Skin Deep by Selah March
IISBN-13: 978-1-60272-026-8
Genre: Contemporary/Suspense/Thriller
Heat Level: 2
Length: Novella (26k words)
$6.00 from Amber Quill Press



Purchase "Skin Deep" by Selah March HERE!!