I have a special guest today, Malia Mallory, all the way from Hawaii. She’s going to heat things up today and answer some questions. Thanks, Malia, for playing along.

Thank you Sidney for having me on your blog today! I’m delighted to have the opportunity to speak with you about my work.

I want you comfortable, so picture your favorite place in the world. Now, please tell us a little bit about the place you’ve pictured?

Right now, I think my favorite place would be in a hot, bubbling tub. I’ve been dying for a nice, long soak and it’s been so cold!

That sounds lovely. It’s actually warm here today, well above freezing, tomorrow will be a whole different story. Good thing this is a virtual visit, can you say Malia popsicle, lol. What was the last book you read that made a lasting impression on you?

I’ve been spending a great deal of time with How to Cook Everything. It really is a great cookbook. I highly recommend the Chicken Biryani. It’s become a favorite of mine. Seriously, this book has all the classics and dozens of great to try, can’t miss recipes.

I love to cook. I’m going to have to check out that book. Thanks! Can you tell us about a criticism you’ve received that pushed you into a better writing place?

I do accept criticism. You really have to if you are going to put your writing out there. Sometimes though it can be weird, you’ll actually get people saying things that are almost the opposite. So, in the end, you have to do what you think is right and put out the very best product that you can.

That’s so true, trusting your own instincts is important, in life and in writing. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Freedom from fear. Freedom from stress and sleeping in on a weekend morning….sometimes.

Sleeping in, that sounds nice. I’m not even sure I could do that anymore. As my kids get older I’m going to have to work on getting that skill back. Freedom from fear. Love it, Malia. What turns you on creatively?

There are those occasions where I am really in the zone. I can feel the sentences coming and I’m happy with the picture I’m creating in my mind. I wish all my writing felt like that!

Your zone sounds nice. I want to go there. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I have to watch out for helping verbs. I go back through and take out everything I can – all the began to, started to etc. I also have to try to reign in the passive voice.

Passive voice, urgh, it’s my nemesis. What quality do you most admire in a man?

Honesty. Hands down. After that probably kindness.

What quality do you most admire in a woman?

Again, honesty. After that perhaps compassion and empathy.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is probably something bad happening to my daughter. I imagine that is true for many parents.

Yes, it’s most true for this parent right here. I just checked, they’re both fine. 🙂 Which living person do you most admire?

In terms of writers, there are a few. I admire Stephen King for his terrific imagination and the awesome book he put out on writing. I also have great admiration for Nora Roberts. She is so prolific with an amazing work ethic for her writing.

Stephen and Nora are favs of mine as well. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I love to cook and do so all the time. I’ve considered going into that at a couple different junctures in my life. You never know!

What is your greatest extravagance?

If I could, I go back to getting the occasional massage and pedicure.

I melt a little for any kind of spa treatment. What is your favorite music (genre/artist/album/song)?

Right now, I am very into Pink. I’m a huge fan of her music and am very impressed with her song writing. I also like that she just goes for it in her songs, attitude and all.

I love Pink. This is for you, Malia.

What is your motto?

For writing, it is probably a toss up between “Don’t get it right, get it down” or “You can’t fix a blank page.” Editing is a great fixer.

Love those. They help me get past my hesitation and get my fingers moving on the keyboard. Tell us a bit about the projects you are working on now?

I’m working on three books at the moment. The first is entitled His Desire, Her Surrender. This is the second book in the Dominating BDSM Billionaires series and the sequel to His Need, Her Desire. In this book, Tabitha and Marcus wrap up their story.

I am also working on another title in The ABCs of Erotica series. K is for Kinky is the story of three couples who have a bet – which couple can do the kinkiest thing in the next month?

The third is an erotic steampunk novella. Clockwork Caning features a newly married couple. The husband has some proclivities of which his new wife was unaware, but she is learning fast. He is also an inventor – of some very unusual objects.

Clockwork Caning, love that! Thank you for hanging with me today, Malia. 

Malia has much more to share, first up is a link to her newsletter, a blurb and excerpt below for His Need, Her Desire, along with her bio and all kinds of links.

Enjoy.

*****

Until January 31, all new newsletter subscribers get a copy of The ABCs of Erotica – Volume 1: A-C. Sign up for my mailing list here.

*****

His Need, Her Desire Blurb

Tabitha Quinn didn’t come to Hawaii to be spanked. But when vacationing businessman Marcus Granger saves her from drowning, they begin an affair that moves from the beach to the bedroom and straight into an experience Tabitha’s never had before: dark-haired, blue-eyed Marcus is a dominant, and spanking is just the beginning. The sex is intense, the emotion even more so, until they both must decide if this is a holiday fling or the real thing.

His Need, Her Desire Excerpt

Tabitha’s smile grew wide. She held out her hand. “Really, I can’t thank you enough for your help.”

He held her hand in a firm grasp a shade longer than necessary, but Tabitha didn’t mind. She enjoyed looking at him. Though he had probably shaved that morning, an attractive shadow highlighted his chin and strong jawline.

“I’m glad I was in the right place.”

Tabitha released his hand. “So, where’s your sister?”

“My sister? How did you know?”

Tabitha bit her lip. “I’m sorry to say that I eavesdropped a bit. I was sitting near you at dinner last evening.”

“Eavesdropping? That seems extremely naughty.”

Tabitha was caught off guard by the tone of his voice. He was teasing, and yet, there was a thread of authority running through his words. Tabitha tried to suppress a shiver. “Well, sometimes I just can’t help myself.”

Marcus appeared disarmed by her honesty. “Are you traveling with anyone?”

Tabitha gave him a playful look. “Why do you ask?”

Marcus smiled. “Because I’m interested in knowing the answer, of course.”

“Well, if you’re thinking about ditching my body at sea, I’ve got six family members waiting for me in my hotel room upstairs. If you’re thinking about asking me to dinner, there is no reason why you shouldn’t.” Tabitha amazed herself. Where is this coming from? This man brought something out in her. She’d bet those broad shoulders and sexy smile had enticed many a woman.

He laughed. “You have nothing to worry about. I never use force, unless of course, it is desired.”

“Oh?” The truth burst into her mind. It suddenly became clear that he was fishing around a bit. There had been several hints here and there, but it seemed like he might be looking for a certain sort of woman. No, he couldn’t be. I’m imagining things.

“It’s true. I would be pleased if you joined me for dinner this evening.”

Tabitha did a mental fist pump in her mind. Woohoo! Dinner with Gorgeous Guy. “What did you have in mind?”

“Would you be averse to allowing me to surprise you?”

Tabitha hesitated then plunged ahead. “Not at all. It’s clear you have excellent taste.”

Marcus raised an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

“Well, we both dined at the same restaurant last night, and I thought it was terrific.”

“Ah, well, my meal was less than pleasant unfortunately.” His tone indicated the subject was off-limits.

“Perhaps it was the company and not the food?”

Marcus laughed. “You are undoubtedly right and surprisingly honest.”

“My mother would say that my tongue is quicker than my brain.”

The corners of Marcus’s mouth lifted. “I’ve always been a fan of quick tongues.”

*****

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Smashwords | All Romance | Kobo

 *****

 Malia Mallory Biography

Malia Mallory lives in Hawaii with her husband and daughter. She’s been working with words since alphabet blocks rolled into her crib, not only writing her own work but copy editing and proofreading the work of others. She has loved to read about relationships since she first sneaked off with her mother’s Harlequin.

Malia Mallory is the best-selling author of The ABCs of Erotica series, which covers the erotic spectrum from BDSM to ménage and everything in between. More releases in the series are on the way. She has also released the Mia’s Cop Craving series and Santa’s Backdoor Baby. Malia’s books have hit the bestselling erotica lists at both Amazon and iTunes. Her books are available in electronic format at major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo, Sony, Diesel, Smashwords and AllRomance Books.

Connect with Malia Mallory

 Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Blog ~ Web Page

@MaliaMallory