Monday, June 25, 2012

Lila Munro's Assumed Master!



I have the fantastic Lila Munro here today with her new book, Assumed Master. I love having Lila here because she's awesome and always has the greatest answers. (No huge build-up or anything! Grin.) Now you're going to want to comment. Why? Lila will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. How cool is that? In my opinion, it's very cool.

Follow the tour here! Now let's get down to that interview! Welcome Lila! What was your favorite scene to write in Assumed Master?

Toward the end of the book, there is actually a series of scenes that I loved writing. They entail Dante finally taking possession of Julie through exerted the full force of his dominance over her. Without giving too much away, I’ll just say she is left coated in honey at one point. Fun stuff!

OOH! Honey and a hot man... yum! What was the inspiration behind Assumed Master?

Assumed Master is actually book four in the Identity series, so the inspiration is character driven. While I initially wrote book one, Identity Crisis, as a fun little project thinking it would squash my desire to write BDSM, the opposite happened and it only fed the need to tell these stories. Assumed Identity, book three, was supposed to end the series. I thought I was playing by the rule of threes, but Dante spoke up and Julie’s story is continued through Assumed Master, which consequently isn’t the last book either. Allen, another player, started talking more seriously and his story will come out later in the summer via book five, Assumed Calling.

Gotta love when the characters just keep talking. What is the most interesting thing you’ve done in the name of research?

Oh, I’ve done some very interesting things. They all involved live interviews with a host of very interesting people whom all practice healthy vibrant relationships in the lifestyle. Of course, I’ve simply approached people at random and struck up conversations, that usually elicits some very interesting interviews. I enjoy regular visits to adult stores…my local Adam and Eve knows me by name, and the UPS man looks at me suspiciously each time a package arrives in a plain brown wrapper.

Hee hee. I love the bit about the UPS man. Maybe that should be a story starter! What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

I think in the beginning, the most frustrating thing was the daunting realization that as a real writer only about 5% of your time is spent writing. The other 100% is spent promoting yourself. The most rewarding is the things I’ve learned through that promotion. I’ve met new friends and established a network that is most valuable. And I’ve found my voice. I’m not one to toot my own horn and crowds aren’t my thing, but this has been rather therapeutic in that I’ve learned to put myself out there with abandon and be me.

What accent inspires you to do naughty things?

Scottish. What is it about that brogue? I once threatened to buy Gerard Butler off Ebay and stand him in the corner to speak to me as directed… Now that's something I'd go in on with you. We could share him. Grin. Name something readers would be surprised to learn about you?

Gosh, I’ve told so many things on myself in the last year doing interviews, I’m not sure there much left that anyone doesn’t know or would shock them if they didn’t know. Here’s one that never fails to glean a guffaw…I can tie a cherry stem in a knot with my tongue.

If you could ask the readers one question what would it be?

What didn’t work for you in “fill in the blank” story? Without constructive criticism it’s hard to fix problems.

What’s your writing process like?

Honestly, it’s evolved over the months since my first contract. At first I was an anal plotster, then I weaved a bit off the road and the characters decided they were in charge and pantster it was. Now, I’m somewhere comfortably in the middle. I have detailed notes, I have to with writing series or my timelines, plots and characters would get all muddled up, but in the event a character speaks out and says, “Hey, did you ever consider…?” I sit back and listen to the possibility.

Totally true. What is your method of breaking through writer’s block?

Write. Write anything and everything. After a few blog posts or blurb attempts the muses usually tire of those things and want to get back to work.  And listen for the voices to return while in a steaming bubble bath with a bit of libation on hand.

I agree 1000%. What fuels you as an author to continue to write?

I’m not sure how to describe it. I think the fuel is something every author possesses and it’s neither tangible nor explainable. It’s a fire that lives within us that just simply will not go away and the more it’s ignored the larger it grows. It’s innate. A desire that knows no beginning and no end and demands to be heard.

Can you tell us a bit about what book(s) you have coming out next and what you’re working on now?

I’m currently working on the next Identity book, number five in the series, Assumed Calling. It’s due out late summer. Past that I can tell you my queue is full. I have several other series I’m working on and a few stand-alone novels. I plan on returning to the military romance genre later this year and putting out some things I’ve had back-burnered since the Identity series took center stage.

Yay! Another Identity book! When you get a chance to read, what books do you love to read?

My TBR pile is as varied as the direction of the wind. I read everything and anything it would seem, although I do tend to veer toward erotic and contemporary romance. I’m also a sucker for a good historical.

Mine is just as eccentric. What bores you as a reader?

Formulaic romance and anything that reads like a check list. It shows a lack of creativity.

That's very true. What is your favorite feature on a person?

That’s hard to say really. Every person is different and while I might find one person’s eyes the center of attraction, another’s chin may define how I see them. Honestly, I look to a person’s heart first before any physical feature.

What is your favorite time of day?

Early morning when it’s quiet. I get a lot of thinking and writing done then.

I wish I had it like that. There's no silence in my house. Grin. What music gets you dancing?

I just love to dance, so anything with a catchy beat does it. My music tastes are as varied as my taste in books.

Then I say we have a huge dance party! Okay, now for a few fun questions! You have been locked in a mall and told you can get anything you want and when they open in the morning you won’t have to pay a single cent. What stores would you hit? Better question how would you haul away all your loot?

Well, I really, really hope they have a grocery, because I’m calling all my friends up who own trucks and we’re taking it all to the local food bank. The second place I’d hit would be a baby store and haul all that off to the center for mother’s in need, to include maternity clothes. Those things are expensive and it tears my heart out when a young mother in need can’t afford something for herself in the most precious time of her life, when she’s nurturing another being with her own body.< br />
If you could share one major writing tip, to help other writers in their quest for publication, what would it be?



Listen to the criticisms and take them under advisement. If you get a rejection letter or dress down from an editor, listen. These folks know what they’re doing or they wouldn’t be running successful presses. Through this figure out where you went wrong, fix it, and try again.

If you could write in any other genre what would it be, and why?

Historical. I keep threatening to venture there, but have yet found the time in between other projects needed to do the research required.

Thanks Lila! I'm glad you were here. Now a little bit about Lila's newest book, Assumed Master.


We may be born to the lifestyle,

Julie Stevens and Dante Larson always knew their tastes were a bit more eccentric than those of the average person, but acknowledgement of their chosen paths came at different times. While their lives have run parallel for the last twenty years, destiny always came knocking at the wrong time. Julie was a closeted edge player and before Dante could pull her free of her fears, Mason came along and dragged her kicking and screaming from her self-inflicted darkness, leaving Dante wanting. Although Dante’s been in love with Julie since the day he first laid eyes on her, he's happily married to Blake. But the tides are turning.

But Lady Fate dictates how it should be lived…

Still mourning the death of the only Master she’s ever known, Julie finds herself forced to live with the one man she’s been terrified of for years, Dante. While she has to admit something between them feels right, just as many things feel very, very wrong, starting with the fact he’s married to her gay best friend. Before she even has time to sort out her current predicament, another man catches Julie's attention. But after losing her mother, her sister, and her husband, can Julie come to grips with the fact that Keegan McKettrick jumps out of perfectly good helicopters for a living, rescue diving for the Coast Guard? And where exactly does that leave Dante, who knows for sure he needs a woman to complete his unconventional marriage? Quite frankly, he's tired of waiting.



Here's the links you know you need!

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, and the Identity series. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012. And has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13.

Ms. Munro loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted via her website http://realmanticmoments.blogspot.com or through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Lila_Munro You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com

13 comments:

Mary Preston said...

A great interview thank you. I love the idea of shipping much needed supplies to a food bank or centre for Mothers.

With the honey all over her body, I'm hoping if WARM!!!!

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Goddess Fish Promotions said...

Thank you for hosting Lila today.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for hosting me today Wendi! I loved doing your interview, your questions weren't run of the mill and were a lot of fun to write. Hi Marybelle! So glad to see you today. And honey is such a versatile food :) It had to make its way in there somewhere. :)

andieleah said...

I been waiting for this book!!!! Love that cover...he's yummy!
andieleah78@gmail.com

Catherine Lee said...

Great interview, Wendi.

Lila...Honey? I'm a big honey fan. I have at least a dozen different varieties in my pantry. BUT, I would not consider "wasting" it in the bedroom...LOL!

Anonymous said...

Great questions! That's so true, about different features being more attractive in different people. The writing-related questions were really informative, too...

vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Hi Andieleah! This cover is one of my favorites that Carl has designed for me. He is yummy! :) Hey Catherine! LOL...well, I promise you, not a drop was actually wasted. ;)Hi Vitajex! Glad you stopped by. Hope everyone has a great day. :)

Wendi Zwaduk and Megan Slayer said...

I had so much fun having you here today, Lila! Always a good time chatting with you!

Donna Steele said...

Okay, I admit, I got stuck on the honey, so I need to go back and reread - not hard when it's you Ms. Lila - Thanks!

Julianne said...

I really enjoyed reading the interview today. Great book cover for Assumed Master. The entire Identity Series sounds wonderful, I can't wait to read them.
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

ParanormalRomanceFan said...

Hello Lila,

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to spend with Us, sharing so much in a Fantastic Interview with Wendi, it was definitely different & I really enjoyed it.
I have not read your Identity Series, but all the Books sound like Fantastic Reads & your Cover Art for your Books are so Eye-Catching & Very Steamy!

I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous giveaway.

Take Care & Stay Naughty ;)
PaParanormalFan Renee’ S.
paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com

June M. said...

I loved your answers to the shopping mall question. Food banks and services for expectant mothers are alway great causes to support. Congrats on the release. It is definitely going on my TBR list.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Hi Wendi! I'm so glad I got to be here, too. It's always a great time with you. Thank you again for hosting me. :) Hey Donna--honey, honey, honey...don't you just love those sticky situations? ;) Hi Julianne! I hope they don't disappoint. :) Good to see you here. Hi Renee! Glad you enjoyed your time here and this is by far one of my favorite covers, although I got the one for installment five recently and it runs a close second. Carl managed to capture Allen perfectly. Hi June! Basic human needs are so important and so often forgotten. Have a great day all and thank you so much for following my tour!