Hi CJ! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for having me, Jena! You did a great job on your review the other day and I’m honored to be here.
Aw shucks, thank you!! 🙂 Soo… are there any specific inspirations for writing Vanilla On Top?
Yes, but revealing too much will either alienate a huge amount of readers or may have others call me nasty names. LOL! In all honesty, I was driven to write this novel because I did not like what I was hearing in the press revolving around Fifty Shades of Grey. I have experienced mental and physical abuse in a previous relationship, and it is something people should run from, not toward. I wanted to write a story that showcased a healthy way to explore racy ideas in the bedroom, between two partners who respected each other while falling in love.
I see you’ve written lots of other books as well… Do you like writing Paranormal or Contemporary better?
Interesting question! Vanilla on Top was my first true romance. My paranormal titles have plenty of heat, but the main focus is the adventure and intrigue, not the relationship between the two protagonists. Writing a story without blood, violence, and action was a lot harder than I bargained for, that’s for sure.
While I can’t say I will write traditional romances for the rest of my career, I’m very excited to continue the Wild Side series. My publisher has given me the freedom to not follow the cookie-cutter mold readers see so much of in romances, and I’m incredibley grateful they are letting me write the stories inside me.
Where is your favorite place to write?
I’ve found it depends on my mood. If I’m feeling pressured at my desk (due to the piles of tasks waiting for me), I will often pack up and go write in a quiet corner in my bedroom, living room, or kitchen. My dogs will invariable follow me, serenading me with their snores.
What do you do outside of writing? Anything fun?
I’d love to rattle off a whole slew of exciting things, but the truth is I’m pretty focused on just a few things right now: getting healthy, writing, and my family.
We’ve started to watch more “grown-up” shows with our kids (like Elementary and Arrow), and take them to some PG-13 movies now, too. That’s opened up a treasure trove of conversation topics for us to connect on. We like to travel in our camper during the summer and school holidays, which is also a nice way to keep us all grounded and together. As they get older (ten and twelve), my husband and I are acutely aware their friends are becoming more and more important and we’re just the saps feeding them 😉 Making sure we all communicate and enjoy each other’s company is a weekly challenge.
Do you have a favorite quote or lyrics (I love meaningful words!)?
Because I’m battling a lot of serious health concerns, the number one mantra that plays through my mind daily is, “Attitude is Everything.” At the clinic I visit bi-weekly for treatments, I see people in walkers and wheelchairs, I see children who are mentally crippled from illness and unable to go to school, I see people crying after their recent doctor visit and ready to give up. I don’t know when I will be better, but I know I will be one day. There is too much life has to offer to give up without a fight.
So inspiring :).
Lightning round!
– Coffee or Tea? Both! But I’m a nerd and all of it is caffeine free. If not, I’d never sleep.
– Black or White? I have two black dogs, one black cat, and two kids who like to camp. White has no place in my wardrobe!
– Faeries or Angels? Faeries.
– Hard copy or eBook? eBook all the way, baby!
– Bad boys or Sweet boys? Either. All I want is smart, funny, and self-reliant. He can be a nerd or a badass, I couldn’t care less.
– Noise or silence? Depends. When I’m writing I prefer silence.
Anything else you’d like to let us know?
There are five books planned in the Wild Side series so far. Two more in the existing Brazen line introducing readers to new couples, and two more just for Tony and Heather that may be published by Entangled (If they don’t want them I’ll publish them on my own). I loved the couple so much I couldn’t let them go after one book!
Thanks for stopping by CJ!! 🙂
jottedbyjena.com 
Great interview, I like to read new things about an author. This book was great and I'm happy to hear that CJ will self publish the two books to follow Heather and Tony if Entangled does pick them up, because I want to read them. This was a great book..go get it
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That was a very nice interview. I really enjoyed reading Vanilla on Top and can't wait to read the next book. I'm thrilled that there are going to be five in the series. Doin' the happy dance!
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Great interview. I enjoyed reading the book and cant wait to read more. Reading that more Tony and Heather is on the horizon made my night!
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Great interview and I can't wait to read this book. It has been on my wishlist since I saw the first excerpts on the author's website 🙂 I normally read male Dom stories but this sounds like a great alternative. Thanks so much for the excerpt and I am sooooo happy to hear that there are going to be so many books in the series!manning_J2004 at yahoo dot com
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