Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Diane Escalera to the blog today.
Diane, can you please share with us a little about yourself
First, thank you so much for hosting me. I’m very excited to be here! Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, I now make my home in sunny South Florida. The sultry paradise is a steady source of inspiration for my hot love stories. I’m married, have two children and a super cute dachshund I can’t get enough of. I write contemporary romance, and I’m published with Kensington Publishing and Lyrical Press.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Unlike most authors, I didn’t know I was destined to write. In fact, I worked in banking for many years, but deep down knew that it wasn’t my dream job.
At the young age of thirty-five, my sister died of an illness. I realized the same thing could happen to me. There are no guarantees. I couldn’t waste another moment doing something I didn’t love.
Writing was one of my greatest joys when I was growing up. While still working at the bank, I decided to enroll in an intensive course where I learned everything I could about the craft. It didn’t take long before I left the bank to pursue a writing career.
Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Linda Howard, Lori Foster and Jill Shalvis are my go-to authors. I think all three have influenced me in some way because they each have a unique style. But the one thing they all have in common is the ability to create a super hot hero. We all know how important that is!
How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
I started reading romance novels many years ago and became an instant fan. The books provided an escape from my not-so-romantic life of raising two young kids, working full-time, and all those other demands. Love stories brought me joy. I’d fantasize that if I could do anything else, I’d be a romance writer. I wanted other women to experience that rush of falling in love, the power of a happily ever after.
What are some of your writing rituals?
I need to have a few things in place before I start a new book such as a working title, my main characters, and the premise of the story. I like to have an idea where I’m going, but I’m never sure how I’m going to get there until I start writing.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
The Right Temptation is story two of my Latin Heat Trilogy published by Lyrical Press. Here’s a blurb:
Kayla Martinez has recently landed an RN position at a prestigious hospital in her hometown. The new job is everything she’s hoped for, especially when one hot specimen shows up in the ER. She hasn’t seen her childhood crush in years, and considering how much hotter he’s gotten over time, she almost ends up needing resuscitation.
The last thing Nico LaCosta needs is a broken arm. Now his pal’s kid sister wants to soothe his pain, but he’d rather keep his distance so her big brother doesn’t break his other arm. Kayla’s no child anymore, though. She’s one hot-blooded woman, determined to remind him of a mind-blowing kiss back when they were teenagers. Leave it to Kayla to drop by his house unannounced and play Nurse Seductive. A guy has to follow the buddy code, or face the consequences. Still, sometimes giving in to temptation is worth it…
How did you come up with the idea for this story?
I had been wanting to feature a Latin hero in a mainstream book because there aren’t too many out there. The character ended up exceeding my expectations, so I figured, why not throw an equally sexy brother and a cousin into the mix? The idea evolved into a Latin Heat Trilogy featuring hunky men, sizzling sex, and happy endings!
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’m in the process of completing story three, Playing with Destiny.
Matchmaker, matchmaker, bring me a babe. That’s all Christian expected from an online dating service. He gets a lot more when, unwittingly, he’s hooked up with a luscious neighbor named Destiny. Christian doesn’t believe in fate. But one look at Destiny and he’s seeing a whole new future.
Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.
The heroine is giving the hero a hard time. She’s pretending she doesn’t need him to guide her out of the woods, even though she stepped off the hiking trail and is clearly lost. Ha! Women can be so stubborn and independent.
What would you be if you were not an author?
I’d probably be working with animals, especially dogs. My little dachshund keeps a permanent smile on my face!
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’m really into the Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis. Just started reading At Last. Loving the sinfully sexy hero!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you readers. You make it all worthwhile!
The Right Temptation is available July 1st at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and digital bookstores everywhere.
You might also enjoy Still Hot for You, the kick-off story to my Latin Heat Trilogy. It brings the sexy back to marriage!
Facebook.com/DianeEscaleraOfficial
Thank you for the beautiful post!
Thanks for being on the blog!!!! Enjoy the rest of your day