Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Guest Blogger Cari Quinn- Finding Your Flavor Of Sexy


Thanks so much to the Nine Naughty Novelists for having me here today! I love the work of so many of the NNN authors and frequently fangirl squee over Kelly, Juniper and Erin. Right now, I’m knee deep in reading Just My Type by Erin Nicholas, who’s rapidly becoming one of my favorite writers. But Erin, can you please, please put a warning on your books not to start them late at night? This is the second book of hers I haven’t been able to put down until the wee hours!

An an erotic romance writer, I’m in the sexy business. Every time I sit down at the keyboard, I have to consider my own personal comfort zone and what the characters I’ve created demand. Some of them turn out to be kinkier than I planned (okay, most of them) and I can either fight them or let them have their own way. Over the years, I’ve learned fighting them is usually a losing proposition and often, for me, results in a story I’m not happy with. If my characters aren’t driving the bus, more often that not the story comes to a dead end.

Even though I try to let my characters do their own thing, sometimes they want to do things I’m not comfortable with as a writer. (And yes, non-writers would ask how can that be, since I’ve created them, but that’s a subject for a whole other post.) For example, I have a vampire duology of books I need to get back to. The first book’s been done for almost two years, but needs some polishing before it gets sent out. Originally I balked at writing the second book, because where the characters were clearly heading—a m/m/f/f foursome and the intermingling contained therein—was beyond my comfort zone at that time. I couldn’t reason my way out of it, because hell, they’re vampires. They don’t live within society’s constraints and they didn’t give a fig if I wasn’t ready to write a foursome. Luckily that particular development doesn’t take place until the second book...and also luckily, I’m no longer vexed by writing foursome action. I’ve written things in the past two years I never thought I would. If someone had said to me back then that one day I’d be writing a series about a voyeurism club, I would’ve said no freaking way. But I do, and I’m enjoying the heck out of writing it.

Now I’m trying something that’s even scarier to me as a writer. For the past couple years, I’ve been building my brand as an erotic romance author...and now, finally, I’m trying to write a hot contemporary that will be still sexy, but a lot softer. I’m freaking nervous! I’m the kind of girl who tends to write harder-edged stuff. Though my work’s definitely romantic, I’m wondering how I’ll fill pages without hardcore sex. But the time’s come for me to find out. I’m still working on numerous erotic projects, but my muse was getting angsty about trying something new. So here I am.

One of the erotic projects I’m still working on is Unveiled, my series at Ellora’s Cave that centers around a voyeurism club called Kink. So far there are six books planned, and I’m currently writing book three. Some of the residents in Ely, Maryland love getting down and dirty in public. Some like to watch. And some discover they prefer closed doors, thank you very much. One of the fun things about this series is realizing that the people who are into it often aren’t who you’d expect. And sometimes the ones who seem tailor made to enjoy Kink just...don’t.

Book 2, Provoke Me, is out now. Here’s the blurb and buy link if you’re interested in checking out more:

Sometimes extreme provocation can lead to exactly what you need...

Attracted. Kelly's focus is the bookstore she manages. Sex is relegated to a list of candidates on her PDA. Only one man pushes all her buttons—her boss.

Fascinated. Spencer is determined to fight his desire for Kelly. For years they've bumped heads over the store they both love. But there's more than one reason their getting together is complicated.

Provoked. When Kelly and Spencer unexpectedly meet up at a sex club, all the rules go out the window. Suddenly there's only way this match of wills can end —naked, preferably all night long. In this battle for sexual supremacy, there are two winners—and two losers when their stubbornness leads to the very thing each dreads most.

Reader's Advisory: In a couple of scenes, Kelly and Spencer test "the more the merrier" theory.

Find the buy link and an excerpt here: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9417-provoke-me.aspx

So now it’s your turn. What flavor of sexy works for you? Do you like all out hardcore action or do you prefer more be left to the imagination? I’d love to hear what presses your particular buttons, kinky or otherwise!

Visit Cari at www.cariquinn.com

Bio:

Multi-published author Cari Quinn wrote her first story—a bible parable—in 2nd grade, much to the delight of the nuns at her Catholic school. Once she saw the warm reception that first tale garnered, she was hooked. She attempted her first romance in junior high, long before she’d ever read one. Writing what she knew always took a backseat to what she wanted to know, and that still holds true today. Cari’s genres of choice include contemporary, romantic comedy and paranormal. Recently she discovered erotic romance. Oh, how far she’s come.

8 comments:

kelly said...

Welcome to the Naughty Nine, Cari, and thank you for your kind words! I loved your book Provoke Me and can't wait to read moe about the goings on at Kink!

Good luck trying something new, I think we have to do that even though it's scary. It'll be great, I know!

heather said...

Hi, Cari. I have Provoke ME on my wish list, it sounds so good and I can't wait to read it. I definitely like a lil kink and wild monkey sex in my stories but what really gets me is what the hero does or says. Little things like him telling the heroine to say his name when she's in the middle of a orgasam or while he taking off her shirt, he twists it around her wrists so it's like she's tied up or even when their going at hard and about to orgasam, he slows down so he can look in her eyes and touches her cheek (huh, guess I'm a romantic, who knew lol). The littlest things can be the biggest turn ons.

Erin Nicholas said...

Hi, Cari! I just think we should have you as a guest like once a week! :) (thanks for reading me!)

I have Provoke Me loaded on my Kindle... got it right after I finished Insatiable!!

I can totally relate to writing things I don't always expect to write. Actually, Mac and Sara's book is one of those for me. But if you never stretch, you never find out what all you're capable of! I'm certainly glad you're writing what you're writing-- however it happened ;)

Erin

Juniper Bell said...

Hey, it's Cari Quinn!!! Squeeee!!! So glad you're here, and I'm excited to hear about all your new and different directions. I loved Provoke Me -- Heather, you should totally check it out! As for me, it depends on my mood. Sometimes I like it hardcore, sometimes softer and sweeter ... Oh, you mean in terms of reading? LOL. Same goes for that too.

Meg Benjamin said...

Hi Cari. Provoke Me sounds great and it looks like it's already a big seller with the Naughty Nine. Thanks for visiting us!

Drmgrl99 - Dawn said...

Hi Cari!! I am so right there with you on the warning label for Erin's book! I did the same thing with that same book isn't it great?!
Anyway I have been drooling over this book since I first say it posted on your blog. You are a new author to me and I have still yet to read but am craving it!
Now as far as what I like?? Lol huh I guess it depends but Juniper will tell you I need a stern hand. I like a bit of everything but I do seem to go for the kink most and I still have yet to read or find my hard no's.
Glad to see you keep such great company! These ladies rock!!

Cari Quinn said...

Yay, thanks for letting me blog with NNN today. Love you gals and hope you'll let me come play again soon.

And thanks so much to Heather and everyone else for your kind comments about Provoke Me. You're all the best!

As for how hard I like it...I'm with Juniper. Depends on the day. ;)

June M. said...

I guess it depends on my mood at the time what I want, hardcore or soft and sweet. But I do enjoy reading books with some kink to them, either BDSM or menages or whatever.