Mysti's on Tour!

Please join me in welcoming Mysti Holiday to my blog today. Mysti's here today to talk about her new book, but she also shares some fun and interesting things you might not have known about writers. Or her! Comment for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the online book retailer of your choice and follow Mysti on her tour here for more chances to win! So, let's find out some more about Mysti:

What 3 words best describe your writing?
Fun, sexy, sweet (yes, I’ve been told I write sweet erotic romance ... apparently it’s not an oxymoron *G*)

Why erotic romance?
I sort of fell into it, to be honest. I’m actually published under a different pen name in mainstream romance, but I had a friend challenge me to write an erotic story. Never one to turn down a challenge, I accepted and did so. And I discovered that I really had fun doing it, so I’ve kept on.

How do you come up with your story ideas?
That’s a really tough question, actually. I think stories are everywhere – and sometimes it only takes a picture, or a word, or .... anything to spark an idea. I’m more a pantser, though, so my characters can let me know their stories, too. Usually I need the characters and at least one scene in my head (plus the conflict) in order to start a story. But, being a pantser, sometimes other things come first! How’s that for a non-answer?

Is there anything of you or your real life in your stories?
I bartended for several years, like Karin in “Blue Light Special”. The bar was even named The Roadhouse, and we had a bouncer named Z. Bartending is a great job, lots of fun and lets you meet an amazing variety of people. I’d go back to it in a heartbeat.

I suppose I bring other parts of “me” to stories, but it’s not intentional.

How long does it take you to write a book?
Depends. I wrote my first full length, published novel (under my other name) during NaNoWriMo – so less than 30 days. OTOH, I have others that I’ve been working on for years. My first published erotic short story, “Shut Up & Kiss Me” was written in two days. “Blue Light Special” took longer. The first erotic story I ever attempted still isn’t finished. ::shrugs:: I’m full of ambiguous answers today! The truth is, though, that I thrive on a challenge, which is why NaNoWriMo is so much fun for me.

If you had a room full of your readers in front of you, what would you say to them? What would you want them to know about your you and your books?
Oh wow.. that may be the hardest question I’ve ever been asked! I suppose I’d invite questions about what they think about books, especially in the much-maligned romance genre (I mean ... why hasn’t Oprah ever picked a real ROMANCE as her book selection?) and how they choose what they read. What attracts them to a particular book, especially when it’s a new author?

As far as me and my books... To be honest, I don’t think who I am is all that important, but I do want them to enjoy my books. I do my best to make them as romantic as possible, I want my readers to feel the stories in their hearts, first. I want them to know that they can always get a happy ending with my work, no matter what.

What are your long term goals as a writer?
To be a NYT bestselling author, of course. To sell as much as Nora Roberts. What else is there? *G*

List 5 things about yourself that most people wouldn’t realize.
1. I like to eat peanut butter off the spoon – and sometimes, I dip it in hot chocolate powder first. Mmmm...
2. I crave sunlight. I used to live in an apartment that get very little sun, and in the winter when it was too cold to be outside much, I would curl up in a ball in the one spot on the floor where sun came in and just lay there, soaking it up.
3. I read the ends of books first. Really. Because I HATE sad stories. I’ve been doing this ever since I was little and was absolutely destroyed by the end of “Where the Red Fern Grows”. I think that book also molded my desire to only write stories that end well.
4. I can’t stand having hair touching my face. I always wear my hair back, no matter what length it is.
5. I can NOT stand rap music. I used to think it was fun – back in the 80s, “Bust a Move”, “Funky Cold Medina” but anymore? It’s just angry, profane, irritating noise. Not that I have a strong opinion or anything.

Tell us something about your book that isn’t in the blurb.
Caleb knows who Holly Hobbie is. Do you? *G*

You can visit Mysti at:
Her website: http://www.menagerieauthors.com/
Her blog: http://www.menagerieauthors.blogspot.com/

Here's a blurb of Mysti's book, Blue Light Special:
When Karin Lattimer moves across the country and her over-protective brother asks his friend Caleb Hawkes to keep an eye on her, she’s more than annoyed…she’s turned on. The attentive cop is a walking wet dream, but Karin knows he’s only hanging around out of a sense of duty. Acting on her crazy attraction would reveal more than the man’s buff body—it would also reveal her heart.

Caleb is well aware that Karin is all woman. He can’t keep his eyes off her and his hands itch to touch her. But she’s not one-night-stand material, and he firmly believes cops make lousy partners for long-term relationships.

Still, thinking clearly isn’t a top priority when Karin and Caleb finally touch. Sparks fly and barriers melt away as easily as their inhibitions, but can she convince him there's more to life than playing it safe?

And of course, a hot and sexy excerpt:
   Caleb grinned and tapped his watch. “Time for last call.”

   “Who died and made you my boss?” Karin sauntered to the other end of the bar, purposely adding a little more swing than usual to her hips as she walked away, sure in the knowledge his gaze was locked on her ass. So what if he was a jerk who was “babysitting” her as a favor to her brother. Just because she was miles away from her home town in Missouri didn’t mean she needed a keeper. No matter why he was there, fact was he stirred her up in the worst way and she didn’t figure it was right she should be the only one feeling all het up.

   “Hey, baby!” The shout was followed by a fair number of cat calls from the pile of barely legal boys hanging on the far end of the bar.

   Karin turned and smiled at them, then took three slow steps to where they stood.

   “The name’s Karin, honey. Not Baby.” She knew exactly how to piss off Caleb and took great pleasure in leaning over the bar, her breasts all but falling out of her low cut tank. She made eye contact with the boy closest to her, walked her fingertips up his chest, and ended with a tweak of his cheek with her perfectly manicured nails. “But, with the right incentive, I’ll answer to just about anything.” She purred the words and touched the tip of her tongue to her upper lip. She’d need to give the boy a napkin for his drool pretty soon, but hell, the tips should be good.

   When he didn’t say anything else, she shook her head. “Last call, boys. Can I get you one final drink?” She trailed a finger down her throat to the V-neck of her shirt before she continued. “A Slippery Nipple, maybe? A Piece of Ass or a Bald Pussy?” She licked her lips again and kept them parted, warm and moist, for a heartbeat before continuing. “Or, my personal favorite—a Sloe...Comfortable...Screw?”

Thanks Mysti! I really enjoyed your answers!! Good luck with the book.