I have none other than the wonderful Cara Bristol today! I'm excited, I love her books. I particularly enjoyed the Breeder series and I am anxious to read her latest, Reasonable Doubts, that you can go get right now! I also loved reading her answers to these questions, I hope you will too.
Give us your basic bio, what ever you’re willing to let us know.
Give us your basic bio, what ever you’re willing to let us know.
I’m married with two grown stepkids. My husband
and I live in Missouri, but I grew up in southern California. We’ve also lived
in Idaho and Washington state. I’ve been writing my entire life—my first
professional job was as a staff writer for a suburban daily newspaper, before I
went into corporate public relations for various organizations. I’ve been
writing fiction for more than 20 years, but only started writing erotic romance
and spanking romance five years ago. It’s now my full-time job.
Were you spanked as a child? Whether yes or no,
do you think this affected your interest?
I was, but rarely. I only remember two spankings.
I don’t think it affected my interest in spanking.
Did you, do you, or might you use spanking with
your own children?
I have not raised children. I don’t see a problem
with swatting a toddler’s bottom or smacking his/her hand to keep him/her from
touching a hot stove. But I don’t think that spanking in general or for older
children is good form of discipline. From my observation, the children who are
the most well behaved and polite are the children who aren’t spanked, but whose
parents provide consistent, steady discipline.
When did you first begin writing spanking
stories?
About five years ago. My first erotic romance
(Intimate Submission) contained a smorgasbord of sexual activity, and included
spanking. Then I realized what a draw spanking itself had.
How comfortable are you with people in your real
life knowing that you write spanking fiction? Does everyone know, a select few,
or do you try to keep it private?
I’m very open about it, which is a complete
contrast to how I was when I first started writing erotic romance. To me, it’s
not the spanking that makes the revelation difficult; it’s the explicit
sexuality (which includes spanking). So at first, I told people I wrote erotic
romance, but I wouldn’t tell them my name or titles. I’m amazed now that I was
so shy about it. I tell everyone now. If it bothers them, that’s their issue.
Some people don’t like to be labeled in only one
area, but do you feel your writing is in a particular category?
I define it this way: I write erotic romance,
including contemporary romance, spanking romance, science fiction romance, and
paranormal. The story comes first, the sexuality and/or spanking is secondary.
Do you think you might someday like to branch
out and write something totally different (or do you), either within the
spanking fiction world or something else completely?
I already have. Writing the Breeder sci-fi
romance series was a complete departure for me. I’d never thought I would write
sci-fi, but I enjoyed it. Now I have a historical idea jumping around in my
head—and I never thought I’d write historical. But genre hopping comes with
risks. An author has to balance consistency with keeping one’s work fresh. I
took a big risk with Breeder, and it
paid off (handsomely!). But my two paranormals never did well.
10. How attached do you get to your characters?
Do you know what happens after the book ends?
I love my characters. They become real to me, and
I think about them as if they’re people I know. Do I know what happens when the
book ends? Interesting question. I don’t go on and continue their story or life
in my head. I don’t think beyond the ending of the book—unless I need to. I
wrote four Rod and Cane Society spanking romances that featured Liz and Otis
Davenport as secondary characters. When I got to writing Liz’s own story, Reasonable Doubts, I realized Otis dies.
He doesn’t die in the book, but outside of it, and a widowed Liz gets a new
man. At the end of Terran (Breeder
2), Tara Diehl is pregnant. She doesn’t know it, but the reader does. Or I
intended the reader to know it. However in reviews, it came out that some
people didn’t realize it. So I made it plain in the next book—Warrior.
Describe your ‘perfect’ writing day.
Just being alone. With no ringing telephone.
When did you first begin publishing? What caused
you to jump in at that moment in time?
I’ve been ‘jumping’ for more than 20 years. In
the 1990s, I wrote four mainstream women’s fiction novels and had two literary
agents who were unable to sell any of them. I self-published one way before ebooks
and print-on-demand were available. Then I starting writing a collection of
mainstream women’s fiction short stories, and had a few published in major
women’s magazines. I’d always read romance, but never really had an interest in
writing it, until one day in 2009, I sat down at the computer to “play.” I
wrote a cheeky, kinky little story just to amuse myself, but when I got done, I
realized it wasn’t half bad, and I decided to submit it. That was Intimate Submission, which was
accepted for publication by Black Velvet Seductions. Since that time, I’ve sold
every single erotic romance I submitted. I’ve published 15 books with
publishers, and recently branched out into self-publishing and have released
two new ones on my own.
13. With so many wonderful writers here I can
get confused as to who writes what. Would you list all the books you’ve
published so far. I’m assuming your books can be purchased through Amazon and
Barnes and Noble, but let us know where else they are available.
The best place to find my books is on Amazon.
Some, but not all, are available on Barnes and Noble, All Romance ebooks, and
publisher sites like Loose Id and Blushing Books. My latest spanking romance,
Reasonable Doubts has just been released.
Rod and Cane Society series (spanking romance)
Unexpected Consequences
False Pretenses
Body Politics
Disciplinary Measures
Reasonable Doubts – NEW!
Breeder science fiction romance series (contains
spanking)
Breeder
Terran
Warrior
Spanking fiction anthologies:
Coming to Terms
Milestones
Other titles:
Long Shot (Corbin’s Bend spanking
romance)
Destiny’s Chance (Paranormal with spanking)
Out of “print” (some to be re-released this year)
Reckless in Moonlight (contemporary romance)
A Scent of Longing (paranormal)
Intimate Submission (spanking romance)
Secret Desires
(menage, spanking romance)
Spanked! (anthology)
Coming soon!
The Goddess’s Curse (Heartmates) – fantasy romance
Rod and Cane 6
Reasonable Doubts Blurb
Widow
Liz Davenport assumes when she begins to date, her new man will be like her
late husband--a member of the Rod and Cane Society and an experienced
disciplinarian who can provide her with loving guidance she requires to feel
grounded and secure. So why is she attracted to Grant Davis, an ex-Naval JAG
officer who works for her nemesis and has never spanked a woman in his life?
Events
in his recent past have forced Grant to take stock of his life and try some new
things. But spank a woman? He’s never considered that before, but with Liz’s
coaching he’s willing to try.
But
when the past collides with the present, will he be able to step up and become
the disciplinarian Liz needs?
Here are the buy links:
Cara also has an invitation for you!
Here are the buy links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S5IDV64
Amazon UK : Reasonable Doubts (Rod and Cane Society) eBook: Cara Bristol: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
Amazon AU: Reasonable Doubts (Rod and Cane Society) eBook: Cara Bristol: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store
CARA
Cara also has an invitation for you!
Prizes, Prizes!
How would you like to become
card-carrying member of the Rod and Cane Society? To receive a membership card,
leave a comment for Cara about Reasonable
Doubts or this blog AND your email address in the body of your comment.
Cara will contact you to arrange to send you a membership card. This is not a drawing. Everyone who posts a comment with an email address can receive a
card—as long as supplies last. In addition, by commenting on this blog and
leaving an email address, you’ll be entered into a drawing for Rod and Cane
coffee mug.
Cara
Where to find Cara:
Really enjoyed reading this and learning a little more about you Cara. Congratulations on your latest release! Thank you both :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
Thanks, Roz.
ReplyDeleteHi Cara! Thank you for sharing about who you are. I'm always wondering about the person behind the kindle so to speak :) I do have to say the Breeder series is a favorite of mine. Congratulations on your newest release!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanna! If you enjoyed Breeder, you'll probably like The Goddess's Curse coming in March/April. It's a sci-fi/fantasy romance that may turn into a series.
DeleteCara, Thank you and congratulations on your latest release.
ReplyDeletePK, thanks.
I'll have to add one of Cara's books to my reading list.
Love,
Ronnie
xx
Thank you, Ronnie!
DeleteExcellent interview! It's always fun to learn something new about my friends.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release and number six sounds intriguing.
Curious as to what part of this might be new info for you.
DeleteTerrific interview. Love getting to know my fellow authors better. Thanks Cara and PK.
ReplyDeleteGlad you stopped by, Leigh!
DeleteWonderful interview both the questions and answers. I'm glad that you might rerelease your out of print books.
ReplyDeleteLaurel
laurellasky@gmail.com
So much to do! Thanks, Laurel.
Delete