Fallen Angel Reviews welcomes Mrs. Melissa Schroeder.

What are you presently working on?

I am putting the finishing touches on Lost In Emotion, the sequel to Voices Carry. I am also working on the sequel to The Hired Hand, Hands On Training, Heath and Joey's story. I am also polishing off Hook, Line, and Sinker, a ST romantic comedy that I am pitching for print.

Do you have a favorite character? Who is it and what book is he or she out of?

That's hard because I always fall a little in love with my heroes. There are faucets of my husband in each one of them. Right now, I am head over heels in love with David Adams from Lost in Emotion. He had replaced Max from my upcoming release from Loose Id, A Little Harmless Sex. Heath, who I am about to start writing about, will probably replace him. I'm fickle, what can I say. Heroines...I have to say Joey because she is the kind of friend you want to have. She tells you the truth even when it hurts.

At what age did you realize you had a talent as a writer?

I wanted to write since Jr High, but I didn't get the nerve until I was in college at the age of 20.

If you had to pick a character you created that was most like you who would it be and why?

Grace from Grace Under Pressure. I have a habit of walking into walls and embarrassing myself as Grace does. And, I have a double degree in English and history. I based a lot of the background of that story on my experiences.

What is your favorite genre and why?

To write, at the moment futuristics. But to read, I have droves of historicals. I love to get lost in the time period. It is the history nerd in me.

If you were stranded on an island and could only have one book with you what book would it be?

WOW, hard one. It would be a toss up between Crusie's Crazy for You and Dodd's That Scandalous Evening.

Who is your favorite Author and why?

Jenny Crusie has to be one of my favorites. When I read a passage out of one of her books to my husband, he said, "She is as much of a smart ass as you." lol But, I have to say that I have a multitude of writers I just can't do without. Christina Dodd, Jayne Ann Krentz(and all her other names), Sabrina Jeffries, Julia Quinn, and Susan Andersen.

What does your family think of your writing?

My kids get irritated that mommy is cranky after I had a late night writing jag. My mother is reading them (and she hasn't disowned me yet) and the rest of my family is happy for me. My husband, who is my biggest cheerleader, loves being my favorite research tool.

Could you please share one of your favorites scenes from your latest book?

The Hired Hand is available from WhiskeyCreekPress.com. This is one of my favorite scenes because there is a ton of sexual tension, and the clothes stay on. It was hard to write, no pun intended, and one reviewer liked it so much, and she mentioned it in the review:

"I don't think a woman in Abilene is safe from you and your dimples." He turned. Marlow stood next to the vegetable rack, her arms crossed beneath her breasts. "Really? I would think you determined me resistible since you left without leaving your name.” She sighed. "Why would I leave my name? Considering what I thought our relationship was.” Deciding that going over the whole big mess right now was not a good idea, he tried to divert her attention.” You worked produce, Marlow?" She looked a little startled by the change in subject. "Yes, I've worked every department. I was even produce manager for awhile at an HEB in Austin." She sounded disgruntled by the question. "Not your favorite department?" "Ick." She turned and busied herself rearranging the cucumber pile. "I would come home smelling like produce." She picked up a cucumber, tested its firmness and set it aside. "No matter how many times I washed my hands, I could still smell the onions." She continued to pick up cucumbers, encircling them with her delicate hand, squeezing just a tad, then setting them down. Thinking about her soft hand, encircling him, squeezing him, testing for firmness, sent a curl of heat to his groin. He cleared his throat, hoping to change the subject. “You know, I used to hate doing this. It was such a pain. At least with other things like meat, there was a date. These you had to sort through the rack, testing them, making sure they were firm enough to keep."
Throughout her comments, she continued picking up cucumbers, sliding her fingers around them, and applying pressure. He stood, mesmerized by her motions, remembering how she had slid her hand down his abdomen, taking his cock in her hand, her thumb just grazing over the tip. Never breaking eye contact, she had slid her thumb, back and forth, spreading the drop of liquid around the tip.
"You really know how to do your job well, Marlow."
His voice was rough. She glanced up, her eyes widening.
"You know just how much pressure to use." He stepped closer as she stood seemingly frozen by his comments. "If you apply too much pressure, you could have a disaster on your hands. Juice all over the place." She continued to stare at him. He stepped closer. Her eyes shimmered with the same hunger that gnawed at his gut. "But you, Marlow, you know just how to squeeze." She swallowed, and he could see the pulse flutter in her throat. He knew it! She still wanted him. "Of course, you have to finish what you started." He glanced down at his obvious erection. Quickly she lowered her eyes to his crotch, and it felt like a lick. She dropped the cucumber back in the rack and backed away from him.
"We...we have to get back, I mean I..." Her eyes dipped down again and back up, her face flushed. "I really have to get back." He saw determination harden her eyes. "I don't have time to play around, Liam."
She turned on her heel and all but ran for the exit.

What is a typical day like for you?

Typical? People have typical days? Well, I get up about 7 in the morning and stumble to the pot of coffee. I ignore my husband because he is one of those happy people in the morning. They are evil.
While I try to wake up, I sort through my email. At some point, my kids get up. Then, they expect to be fed. Once done with that, I never know. I home school my older daughter, so we work around her schedule of music lessons and Girl Scouts. We have dinner around 6 and then I go to work. Whether it be a chat or writing or critiquing. I write off and on through the day, but at night, I do a ton of writing because my husband handles the kids, gets them ready for bed. I am usually up until around one in the morning, writing. Okay, sometimes I am chatting but that's Kally's fault. lol

How many hours do you spend daily writing?

That varies but I tend to spend 5-6 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is the best advice any writer has ever given you?

From my college writing instructor, James Hoggard, read everything you can get your hands on. The good, the bad, the ugly.

What is the toughest genre for you to write?

Historical. With that history degree, I have to stop worrying about getting every little bit of detail historically correct. I could research for days on materials for dresses if I am not careful. Plus, I have to watch my humor. Some of my comebacks are NOT right for historical.

What is the best advice you could give to a new author just starting out?

Never give up. I had so many editors (e and print) that I just couldn't write. So, remember it is all their opinion and nothing else. One editorial assistant told me that Liam from The Hired Hand was boring and one-dimensional. Now, most everyone who has read him falls in love with him, and I didn't change anything. AND, sit your butt in t he chair and write. Some of my first work will never get to print, thank goodness, but I learned from each attempt.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Yes, but then I would have to kill you. No, really I am just a housewife with a strange sense of humor.

Thank you Melissa Schroder for taking time out of your busy schedule to interview with us at Fallen Angel Reviews.



Interviewed by: Ruby