Books-n-Kisses is excited to have Sophie Oak on the blog today to talk about her new release Pure Bliss.
Q1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Sophie: I live in Texas. I started writing very young, but I worked in journalism and theater. My first play was produced when I was 17. I’ve had full productions in both the US and Canada. I’ve also worked in comic books. I have 3 kids who range from 17 to 3 years old. My husband is a full time stay at home dad. I have a rescue dog who firmly believes she’s a cat.
Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
Sophie: Not at all. I wanted to be a marine biologist for a really long time. I loved dolphins and whales. Then I got my first real look at a shark and decided writing was really a better career for me.
Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Sophie: I grew up reading a lot of the classics, but I loved genre fiction. I still do. I love romance and science fiction and thrillers. If I can get a combo, I’m in heaven. In romance I love Jayne Ann Krentz, Linda Howard, Shayla Black. I also have mad love for Steve Berry and James Rollins. I just finished reading The Hunger Games and loved that one, too. Oddly though if I had to say who really influenced me it would be a TV writer. I love the rhythm of Joss Whedon’s stories. I think I picked up an enormous amount of my own style from him.
Q4) How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
Sophie: I write erotic romance, but that’s just a label to put on it so the reader knows it’s got a lot of graphic sex. Under the heading of erotic romance, I’ve written romantic suspense, small town contemporary and fantasy. I love suspense. There’s an element of it in everything I write. I’ve got a six book Urban Fantasy series that I haven’t even tried to sell yet. It’s less erotic though there’s an element of that in there. I started writing erotic romance because I loved to read it.
Q5) What are some of your writing rituals?
Sophie: I have a very regimented schedule. I work best in short bursts so I literally split up my day in 45 minute to hour long bursts. I tend to write for an hours or so and then I’ll walk or exercise and then back to writing. I’ll work like that all day. My favorite thing to do is sprint with my writer friends. The competition really gets me going. Then if I can get my daily word count (approx5K) in, I get a glass of wine on the balcony before dinner.
Q6) Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Sophie: My latest is called Pure Bliss. It’s the sixth book in my Nights in Bliss, Colorado series. James Glen has shown up in all of the previous Bliss books. He’s a rancher. Hope McLean showed up in book 3. She’s always been kind of a quiet character, but you find out she’s hiding a really big secret that’s caught up with her after ten years. Throw in James’s long lost brother, Noah, and it’s a Bliss free for all.
Q7) How did you come with the idea for this story?
Sophie: I knew I was going to write a James/Hope story. Noah came in later. This book is really about Hope and what she went through, her redemption. She seems deeply quiet and retiring, but she has a very dark past. She’s riddled with guilt. I often “find” a character through listening to a song. The song that really opened up Hope to me is a Florence + the Machine song called “Shake it Out.” There’s a great line in there – “It’s hard to dance with a devil on your back, so shake him off.” That’s what Hope goes through in this book. She finally deals with her demons.
Q8) Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Sophie: I’m waiting on the edits to Texas Sirens 6, Siren in Bloom. And I’m starting to write Beauty: A Faery Story.
Q9) What would you be if you were not an author?
Sophia: Really bored. And unemployed. I’m not good at anything else.
Q10) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Sophie: I just finished the first book in The Hunger Games trilogy. I’m going to read all three. I can’t wait for Cherise Sinclair’s next book. And I’m waiting on Triple Dog Dare from Tymber Dalton.
Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Sophie: Thanks so much for having me here today! If anyone has a question or wants to know more, please look me up at www.sophieoak.com.
I’m @authorsophieoak on Twitter
Giveaway time:
Sophie is giving away an e-copy of anything from her backlist. To enter fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Winner will get to choose which book. But if you want to see what Sophie has on her shelf check out her website book list
I love Sophie's work! I'm waiting for her map to Bliss and then I'm running away from home!!!
proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com
Woooah, Love when authors read the books we do. Go Hunger Games. Great interview.
Thanks for a great post and giveaway! This is a new to me author who will definitely be added to my wishlist!
Enjoy the Hunger Games! I definitely recommend them (especially before seeing the movie) 🙂
I really enjoy the author interview type of blog post, it's just really fun. I'm looking forward to reading the Bliss series.
rebprov35(at)yahoo(dot)com
HUGE Sofie Oak fan. Loved the interview.
oconn663@bellsouth.net
I LOVE Sophie…even though I'm still waiting for Angelina to return to Guilty Pleasures from her trip to BLISS….Anyone want to head to BLISS to help me find Angeline and a cowboy or two =)
BEST WISHES on release day Sophie!
I love Sophie Oak and I am game for a road trip to Bliss!
Great interview…I just love Sohpie. She is one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to read Pure Bliss. Thanks so much for the great giveaway. I would love to win one of Sophie's books. 🙂
Happy release day!!
Patti F
pfleming913@comcast.net
Great interview. Sophie is a new author for me. I love paranormal stories so I'm definitely need to read the Faery series. After this interview I will be checking out your Bliss series too. I love your covers. Thanks for the chance.
mythic021@gmail.com
Thank you for making me discover another new author and adding her books to my wishlist 🙂 I haven't read anything by Sophie yet, but can't wait to get to know her novels!
And did you ever swim with or caress dolphins Sophie?
Thank you for the chance! 🙂
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
Great interview. Can't wait to read Pure Bliss.
DiDi, I'll go to Bliss with you to find Angeline and a few cowboys.
Thanks for the giveaway.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Great interview! Sophie is a new to me author…nice to meet you Sophie! Bliss sounds like a GREAT place to visit…I'm up for a road trip with you gals anytime. Or, at least I'd like to think about it anyway! LOL! Thx for the giveaway op! 🙂
barbbattaglia @ yahoo.com
Your books sounds great Sophia!
I have not read anything from you as of yet. But now have you on my TBR list 🙂
Thank you for a chance to win!
~Ava~
dragonlady029@aol.com
Absolutely love the `Bliss`series and I would recommend it to everyone. Can`t wait to read Pure Bliss.
Thanks for the opportunity on the giveaway!
Gayle
gaylelatreille@yahoo.ca
The "Bliss" series lookn great and is going on my TBR pile!
Heather P
hap100@sbcglobal.net
Love the Bliss series. Can't wait to start reading it.
Thank you, Sophie
Judith
judbad@gmail.com
Hi Sophie, Will there be a book three in the A Faery Story Series?
I just love those covers.
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
Hi Sophie,
This was a great interview. I love all your books and am looking forward to reading Pure Bliss. I am so happy that you are working on Beauty – loved the first two books in that series!! OMG…. I also can't wait for the next book in the Triple Trouble series – love me some Lyall brothers.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Mariann at Belle's Book Bag
mariann76@comcast.net
Wow, looks like some great books and the hard part would be to choose which one to pick. I am definitely gonna have to get many of them, lol.
June
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
I have not read anything by Sophia before but have heard a lot of really great things about her books. Thanks for a great interview =)
Thanks for the interview. I haven't read any of her books yet, but I will be adding them to my list! Thanks for the giveway!
I have had my eyes on Sophie's works far too long. They sound too good to pass up. I look forward in reading them.
Thanks,
Tracey D
Thanks for the interview and giveaway. I haven't had the chance to read any of Sophie's books yet because I have just learned about her after reading the interview, Now that I know about her I will add Sophie's work to my TBR list. I can't wait to start reading her books!!
melissalamb(at)musfiber(dot)com
I recently bought the first book in the Bliss series and have it in my to read file. It's going to be moved up to the top!
Sophie, I have a wine suggestion for you. I recently found a wine call Menage a Trois, it's 3 wines combined to make one and comes in 5 varieties. My favorite is the Red with a dark chocolate chocolate chip cookie for dessert. It's one wine I don't share!
Thanks for the giveaway!
suz2 (at) cox (dot) net
I finished the whole series a couple of days ago. Loved them!
Stella, I haven't had the opportunity, but last summer I did get to spend some time with manta rays and that was a blast. They're so friendly and sweet. I was in the Grand Caymans and I would love to go back.
Julianne, I'm working on it right now. It's my work in progress. It's on the Siren publication schedule for June 15th.
I have been all over Tymber Dalton to get out the next book in that series! i love her stuff.
That sounds lovely, Susan. And the name does fit!
Hi, Sophie. Pure Bliss looks like its title! Congrats and thanks for the great interview and giveaway!
MJB
msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com
Yea, my husband gives me a hard time about it too! LOL!
Great interview! The book sounds very interesting.
Thank you for the interview. I will add this author to my list of to-read and will check out some titles.
Great interview. I must admit, I have not read any of your work yet. However, I know I will because I love reading erotic. Thanks.
Looks interesting. *Adds name to new author list* Can't wait to start reading your stuff.
erhmsh@hotmail.com
Wonderful interview. Sophie is a new author for me and I will definitely be adding her books to my wish list.
Lori
knitrix29 at gmail dot com