Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Chris & Cecilia to the blog today to chat about their new and upcoming releases…..
Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Our story began almost two years ago when we began writing together as a couple in a role-play group. That veered into writing erotic short stories, two of them eventually published by a small e-press. From that, it was a quick dive into writing longer and more complex stories and plots. Currently our focus is on romantic suspense and erotic romance.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Chris — I have been writing since I can remember. I used to write children’s adventure stories when I was younger. To be honest, I think the dream was always swirling under the surface and role-play jump started that desire. It was a call to action.
Cecilia — It was something that I think always hovered on the edge of my mind and when I met Chris, it completely took over becoming a reality.
Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?
We don’t think there is anything typical about our days. We live 4,000 kilometers apart but the distance doesn’t deter us. I’m on EST and Cecilia is on PST. Weirdly our hours seem to match. We typically spend 14 hours a day in communication via Voice Over IP and Skype.
One of the first things we tackle daily is promotion, checking websites for updates, comments, posting news about the series, books, etc. Next, we discuss what we’ll be working on or the direction of the story line. This usually results in one of us seeing a scene and handling getting the foundation/bones of it documented. Once one of us has taken it as far as we can, we toss to the other and start at the beginning again rewriting and adding to the scene or chapter.
We continue this ping-pong until we feel we have the chapter finished. We also leap frog; while one is working on one chapter, the other will move to the next. During the evening hours, we discuss our stories with beta readers and spend a great deal of time online with friends.
Must have while writing – music and and image in our head
Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
Challenging – Promotion. We suck at it. TRULY suck at it.
Rewarding – feedback we receive regarding the stories.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Countermeasure is our latest published novel under our own label, Éire Publishing. It is the first of a series involving Trevor Bauer and Cassandra James. In this first novel, Trevor Bauer, an NSA analyst is on the hunt for clues to his parent’s disappearance. Following a lead throws him in the path of Cassandra James, an ex CIA officer turned security assurance agent, who is on the trail of an infiltrator who stole a formula she was safeguarding. Thinking Trevor is her thief, she confronts him. Their meeting sets them on a course that neither expects.
We have also continued their story by showing little glimpses into their lives, a behind the scenes view into their lives after the end of the novel so to speak. The short stories and novellas in the Countermeasure: Bytes of Life series are erotic in nature and show the growth and interaction between the characters. The first two installments, Ecstasy by the Sea and Cuffed at Midnight are already available.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
The original story grew from a dream Chris had melding technology, intrigue and romance. It was the spark to the story we began to role-play. From that little spark, we created the characters, their backstory and past long before their story took shape. They were (and are) a living extension of us. We took the story to a role-playing environment as a test to find out if they could compete against the paranormal groups that ruled the role-playing world. Surprisingly, we found a loyal following once we began to play their story. We had readers hounding us for the next chapters. It was during the posting of the story that eventually became the foundation of To Russia with Love, that we realized we had to write the book about how they met and the events that led them to begin a life of adventure together and Countermeasure was born.
Can you share with us your current work in progress?
That would be To Russia with Love, which was completely rewritten and includes a whole subplot, due to release on July 30, 2012.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Our favorite authors are many—Karen Marie Moning, J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, Laurel Hamilton, J.D. Robb, Katie McKalister, Janet Evanovich, Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy, Bernard Shaw, Yeats, Wilde. At the moment we are having fun reading stories from some new authors that we have found including: Misty Evans, Kallypso Masters, and Leigh Court.
Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
Can we say we are not sure?! We tend to go against convention and write with our gut. Our writing style, if anything, is intended to keep you guessing, on the edge of your seat, and all hot and bothered.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Chris —I’m currently reading King of Paine by Larry Kahn, The Shadow Factory by James Bamford and Along Came a Spider by James Patterson. Trying to stay away from other titles until I finish these.
Cecilia — I probably have 100 books on my to read pile. Off the top of my head Samurai Games by Cristina Feehan, The Kali Sweet Urban Fantasy series by Misty Evans, and Jeaninen Frost’s Once Burned. As for those coming up…way too many.
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
Chris – Loud music that allows me to immerse myself in a scene. I have a specific song list for the characters and couples and playlists for the type of scene (torture, murder, fights, love, etc).
Cecilia – I love to have an image in my head or words from a song to kick me through a piece of the story.
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Chris — Ludlum. I love his writing style and just want to pick his brain apart.
Cecilia — Such a tough question, there are so many authors I admire. I think if I had to narrow to one I would have to say Janet Evanovich so that I could pick her brain on the incorporation of humor into a story.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Read everything you can get your hands on and more importantly write a lot. Stand tall for your own style, make it even more personable, and gather a group of friends and followers behind you as a support group. Do not let strong critics influence your voice or story in a way that you don’t like or approve of in the end. Use a critique group to keep you grounded, as a guidance tool, but do not let it change what makes you and your story unique.
We have also found that there are a lot of resources available. Join an organization like the Romance Writers of America (RWA) group and a local chapter. They have a number of workshops and resources to help guide veteran and newbie writers alike. Research writer blogs, and know your genre.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
Our bucket list is huge and also includes every location we have mentioned in our stories. If we have to share one, that would be Ireland. Chris has a special connection there from the time spent in Dublin. I have roots tied to County Cork. One of the main reason our Countermeasure Series has Irish ties. First stop would be Sligo, a small city in the Northwest coast, at the foot of Ben Bulben. You’ll get to read about it when we publish another of Trevor and Cassandra’s adventures.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We love what we do and are suckers for feedback, soaking it up like sponges. We take it very seriously and incorporate it into what we do even if it means rewriting a chapter. Our greatest joy is when readers come to us and tell us what they think or that they enjoyed in a certain scene.
Chris is the ultimate geek so we are everywhere! You can find us through the following links. Stop by, pull up a keyboard, and chat some time!
Order Here
Countermeasure | Cuffed at Midnight | Ecstasy by the Sea | Passion At Dawn (Release TBA) | To Russia With Love (coming soon)
Websites:
CA Duo Books – http://caduobooks.com
Countermeasureseries – http://countermeasureseries.com
GoodReads Author Pages:
http://goodreads.com/chrisalmeida
http://goodreads.com/ceciliaaubrey
Amazon Author Pages:
Good interview! I have Countermeasure but didn’t know about the “Bytes of Life” segments. I’m looking forward to getting those and looking forward to the upcoming release of “To Russia With Love”.
Hi Maria! Nice to see you here! We have plans to release At least three Bytes in between the main series novels. We already have material for a lot of them. Hope you enjoy the little stories when you get to them 🙂 Keep in mind, it is recommended (but not compulsory) that you read them in order. Passion should be out before TRWL.
Thank you for having us today, Kelly! We appreciate the opportunity to stop by and chat with your readers.
I’ve learned even more things about Chris and Cecilia. Great job! “Bestsellers” on all your ventures.