Monday, March 7, 2011

Writer with Sizzle Interview: Emma Lai

Please welcome author Emma Lai! Emma would like to give away an e-book copy of Twice is Not Enough to one lucky reader. Please leave your email in the comments section so she can get a hold of you. Thanks!

About Emma Lai:

Emma likes nothing more than a challenge. First,she tackled the male-dominated field of engineering. Next, she expanded her understanding of the world by studying international relations. Finally, her husband dared her to use her experience and knowledge and devote herself to writing. She accepted his challenge and has been writing ever since.

Writing keeps Emma sane. Her characters demand their stories be told and nag her incessantly until she complies. The characters are very insistent about her remaining faithful to their individual adventures. As a result, Emma writes a range of genres and levels of heat. She never knows what the next set of characters will demand!

Lia: It's great to have you here, Emma. Tell us about Twice is Not Enough?

 
Emma: After several disastrous engagements, Lady Minerva Peters is an expert at suppressing her own needs. Only in the darkness of night does she give in to her wanton desires with a fantasy lover. 

In the middle of a crowded ballroom, she learns her father is not yet ready to let her fade into spinsterhood. Humiliated, she ducks into a dark alcove only to find out she's not alone. Her hiding spot is occupied by a captivating stranger. Before she can escape, the two become voyeurs to another couple’s sexual rendezvous. The atmosphere heats up and so does her body, especially with the tempting offers whispered in her ear. 

Will Minerva deny her needs once again or will she embrace the anonymity of their seclusion and finally explore her basic impulses and the startling attraction to the compelling mystery man?

Lia: What a scintillating premise! What physical aspect does your heroine love most about your hero? Details, please!

Emma: Lady Minerva Peters is no stranger to pleasure. A natural curiosity coupled with her strong personality encourages her to explore her own sensuality. However, being the well-behaved Regency lady she is, she has to rely solely on her imagination. She conjures up a fantasy lover, who is, of course, tall, dark and handsome with thick, wavy hair the color of chocolate, and a tanned, toned muscular body from a love of the outdoors.

Imagine Minerva’s surprise when she sees a man resembling her lover speaking with her father in a crowded ballroom. When she finally gets up close and personal with the man, she finds out his eyes are icy blue instead the warm, rich chocolate of her lover’s. She also discovers his lips aren’t full and sensuous like her lover’s, but William quickly convinces her full lips aren’t a prerequisite for pleasure.

So, I’d have to say she loves his lips.

Lia: He sounds delicious. Which scene in your book do you think will leave the reading squirming in their seat?

Emma: Definitely the library scene.

While Minerva’s no stranger to pleasure, aside from farm animals, she’s never seen the dirty deed done, especially at such a close proximity. Imagine all the squirmy feelings a woman who knows about pleasure, has experienced it alone, would experience when confronted with the sights and sounds of a couple in the throes of passion.

It’s a good thing William’s around to help her deal with the sensations overwhelming Minerva’s senses. Then after the spied on couple leave...Well, you have to read the story to find out what happens.

Lia: Love it! How would you describe your heroine?

Emma: Minerva could be a modern woman. She doesn’t really fit any one stereotype. She has a strength of character, but not one that demands she be the center of attention. In fact, she often puts the needs of those she loves above her own, which has led to her current predicament of being single with the reputation of a jilt.

Imagine how flattered I was when a reviewer reinforced my own idea of Minerva. Vicky from Sizzling Hot Book Reviews started the review with “Minerva is strong enough that I wouldn’t be surprised to meet her one day.” She goes on to say “Minerva doesn’t fit any of the usual molds. She is not the chunky, chubby smart one, not is she the beautiful spitfire, nor is she any of the other typical models used when writing. She is just a normal person caught in everyday life.”

You can read the full review here.

Lia: She sounds like someone I’d love to meet. What’s your secret to writing a steamy scene?

Emma: Hold on to your seat. First, I light some scented candles...nothing too overwhelming though. Then, I dim the lights and put on some music. Next, a nice glass of an Australian shiraz and a piece of lavender-infused dark chocolate. Then I slip on a pair of pearl g-string, black lace panties...

Seriously though, I do need music, which depends on the type of love scene—hard rock for a quickie or something hard and fast, love songs for a slow, thorough love-making.

Lia: LOL! You had me going for a second. Where can readers find your books?

Emma: My stories are available at The Wild Rose Press using the following links...

His Ship, Her Fantasy and His Hope, Her Salvation are available at The Wild Rose Press.

Twice is Not Enough is available at The Wild Rose Press and at Amazon.com.

Slave to Innocence from Sybarite Press is available in Kindle format at Amazon.com

Lia: Thanks for being a Writer with Sizzle, Emma! Readers, remember to comment and leave your email address for a chance to win Emma's Twice is Not Enough.

15 comments:

Emma Lai said...

Thanks for sharing your blog with me, Lia!

Darah Lace said...

Hi Emma, just wanted to drop in to say how much I loved Twice Is Not Enough! So hot!

Lia Slater said...

Emma, it's great to have you here!!

Hi, Darah!

P.L. Parker said...

I am excited to read my e-copy of Twice is Not Enough. Just need to get my techy son to download it to my e-reader and then...

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Emma -
I read TWICE just the other night! SO hot! It's a great story.
Just wanted to pop in and say I loved it:)

Emma Lai said...

Darah and Jennifer, so glad you liked the story.

Patsy, aren't sons great. I can't wait for the day, I can get mine to fix my computer instead of break it.

Sarah Grimm said...

Emma-

Wow, you're really getting around the blogs, aren't you? Just wanted to swing by and say hi!

~Sarah

Emma Lai said...

Sarah, I'm trying! :)

Lia Slater said...

Of course this is the best blog, right? LOL JK

Emma, I forgot to tell you how much I love your cover! Super sexy!

Hi, P.L., Jennifer, and Sarah!

Cari Quinn said...

Hi Emma and Lia! *waves*

Twice is Not Enough sounds amazing, Emma! I can't wait to read it. :)

Emma Lai said...

Hi Cari! Be sure and let me know what you think.

Emma Lai said...

Lia, thanks for the compliment, but of course Angela Anderson deserves all the credit. And yes, your blog is the best! :)

Teresa K. said...

Hi Emma & Lia,

It's my first time to the blog and Emma I must say this sounds like a wonderful read. I do love a good teaser. This is a definite must to put on my TBR list.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Teresa K.
tcwgrlup41(at) yahoo (dot) com

Emma Lai said...

Thanks Teresa!

Lia Slater said...

And the winner of Twice is Not Enough is Teresa K.! Congrats, Teresa! Emma will contact you soon.