Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Getting to know Cara Bristol

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. 

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

To be notified about future releases, sign up for Cara’s New Release Newsletter

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


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:




12 comments:

  1. Really enjoyed reading this and learning a little more about you Cara. Congratulations on your latest release! Thank you both :)

    Hugs
    Roz

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  2. Hi 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!

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    1. Thank 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.

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  3. Cara, Thank you and congratulations on your latest release.

    PK, thanks.

    I'll have to add one of Cara's books to my reading list.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

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  4. Excellent interview! It's always fun to learn something new about my friends.

    Congrats on the new release and number six sounds intriguing.

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    Replies
    1. Curious as to what part of this might be new info for you.

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  5. Terrific interview. Love getting to know my fellow authors better. Thanks Cara and PK.

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  6. Wonderful interview both the questions and answers. I'm glad that you might rerelease your out of print books.
    Laurel
    laurellasky@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete