Interview & Giveaway with Olivia Cunning

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have Olivia Cunning on the blog today to talk about her new book Hot Ticket .

Olivia, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I don’t lead a very interesting life. I think that’s one reason why I write. I was born in the Midwest and my father joined the military when I was 2, so we moved all over the country and were stationed in Germany a couple of times. I have one son who is college, one cat who will not let you pick her up, and one dog that barks at everything including the wind. I have an advanced degree in Research Pathology. Until recently I was a college professor who taught Human Anatomy and Physiology and now I write full time. My hobbies are going to rock concerts, taking walks on the beach and playing video games. See? Much less interesting than fiction.

Learn more about Olivia here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Have you always wanted to be an author?

Not always. My first choice of career was garbage man. Garbage woman? I wanted to ride on the back of the truck. Then I wanted to be a jet pilot, but found out you have to have great vision (this was before Lasik surgery), so that was out. Then I wanted to be a rock guitarist—stubby fingers, my father’s mockery and no talent destroyed that dream. At nineteen I decided I was going to write series romances for a living. Alas, that didn’t work out, so I went to school to be an elementary teacher. My professors pushed me into the science field, where I thought I would do research, but after obtaining the Master’s degree, went on to teach. I loved teaching for the most part. But I quit at the end of 2012 to be a full-time writer and so far, no complaints. I do miss my students, but not the grading! I heard somewhere that good teachers would teach for free, but you have to pay them to grade papers. I definitely identify with that!

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I can’t write with my son in the room. But considering that he’s 20 and what types of books I write, I guess most people would feel a bit subconscious about writing sex scenes with their young adult kid present.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Hot Ticket is the latest release in my Sinners on Tour series. The books center around a rock band called Sinners. This one is about the bassist Jace Seymour who doesn’t understand love because of his childhood. His heroine, Aggie, who is probably the most patient woman on the planet, helps him overcome his past and recognize all the love in his life—from her and his band mates. Sinners is a family. A very dysfunctional, sex-crazed family, but a family. The guys really depend on each other.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I usually start with a character and try to get to know them be putting them into situations. While I’m writing about the character, my story ideas come out of nowhere. So I’m not a writer who starts at the beginning and writes every well thought out scene from beginning to end. I go back and fill in the beginning of the story with details once I’m writing later scenes. The idea for Jace’s character was first spawned while listening to the song “Pain” by Three Days Grace. Pain without love. Those lyrics struck a chord as so many songs do. I wondered what kind of person would want pain? And why? What would get them to that point? And how would they learn to love? Thus, Jace Seymour was born.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I’m working on a serial series of novellas about a different rock band called Sole Regret. That series is unrelated to Sinners and occurs one night at a time. I wanted to try something a little different with that series. I’m also working on a spin-off series to Sinners about the band Exodus End. The rhythm guitarist of Sinners is Trey Mills and his brother, Dare, is in Exodus End, so you see bits of the band Exodus End in the Sinners series. You also see bits of Dare in the Sinners series. He’s a good guy. I’m looking forward to getting into his head and finding him a great heroine to love.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

J.K. Rowling. I just love her writing. I’d go totally fangirl if I met her.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Don’t give up on your dream, but always seek to improve. The best way to improve is to write, write, write.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

My bucket list is a mile long. I checked off a couple things in January. I really want to go on a Safari. Maybe I’ll do that next. The biologist in me loves animals. Or skydiving. I’ve always wanted to hurtle myself out of a perfectly good airplane.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I really need to read J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I bought the first six books as a boxed set and am looking forward to reading them. I’ve heard great things. Yes, I realize I’m late to the party.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Just that I never thought I’d actually be where I am today as a writer. I dreamed it, but wasn’t confident that I’d succeed, so thanks to all of those folks who read my books and enjoy them. I am humbled everyday by your encouragement and generosity of spirit.

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Book #3 in reading order of events in book series, per author

There are things in bassist Jace Seymour’s past that he is unwilling to share with anyone. To cover his guilt and anguish, he seeks dominatrix Mistress V (Aggie) to temporarily placate his inner turmoil.

Aggie doesn’t have much use for men–besides the power rush she gets when they’re begging for mercy at her feet–but Jace isn’t like her usual clients. His cool defiance and unexpected dominance in the bedroom drives her to distraction and quickly steals her heart.

When circumstances threaten Jace’s position in Sinners, Aggie must help him regain his rightful place in the band while showing him that time and love can heal all wounds.

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