Hi Lydia! Welcome back to Fallen Angels! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions for us.

Thank you! It's wonderful to be here, as always.

Your background is very interesting! Would you tell us a bit about what inspired you to become a writer on top of being a civil engineer for the Forest Service?

I'm not just an engineer--I'm a compulsive, left-handed engineer. I really need a creative outlet! I've tried many of the arts, but if something isn't symmetrical, I just don't feel right about it. (I crocheted until everyone I knew had enough blankets.) And, on top of all that, I'm from the South. In case you don't know, Southerners are notorious for swapping stories whenever they're together. I provided entertainment at lunch until I'd been through all my stories at least twice. So, what does a left-handed, compulsive, natural-born storyteller do when she runs out of audience? Yep, she writes (and writes, and writes…)

How's that for a long answer to a short question?

You write books in several genres under different pseudonyms. Is it difficult to jump from genre to genre? Do you have to get in a specific mindset to write each?

There are times when it's difficult and times when it isn't. Mainly, I find it's important to work on one thing at a time (which I rarely do). I write romance as Sarah Storme, mystery as S.H. Baker, and erotica as Lydia Parks and Laura Rose. A hint I found years ago that helps me keep things straight is to read some of my favorite authors in the genre I'm getting ready to start just before I sit down to work. If it's mystery, I read James Lee Burke, or Ellis Peters, or Dick Francis. If I'm about to start a romance, I read Amanda Quick, or Ruth Wind (Barbara Samuel), or Sandra Brown. If I'm about to start erotica, I run through works by several of my favorite e-book authors (Brenna Lyons, Jess Michaels, Morgan Hawke, Maya, and many more). Another thing that helps is that two of my pseudonyms (S. H. Baker and Lydia Parks) write mostly series, so I just have to get in touch with the protagonist and he does the rest. Dassas Cormier and Nathan Cotton are both very strong, vocal characters who tell their own stories.

What do you think about being published in e-book format vs. print?

I'm actually published in both (and hardback), and each offers its own advantages. E-books allow us to download stories we might not otherwise read (I'm thinking erotica here), or, because of the lower cost, try authors we might not otherwise try. I believe e-books will take over a large part of the market in the future, so I'm thrilled to be on the cutting edge.

Which genre is your favorite and why?

I love them all. I think it's important to be able to work on whatever fits my mood at the time. I started out in romance, so it will always be special to me. And, actually, most of my erotica and mysteries have strong romance elements. I just can't help myself. My latest Nathan Cotton story, FINAL CHOICES, is definitely a romance, even if the "happily ever after" is a little different (I'm not giving the ending away - don't worry). The story is vampire erotica, but Nathan (the vampire) and Terra (his human friend and lover) get into a situation where one may have to give up his or her existence in order to save the other. Talk about your basic romantic conflict!

Back to your question. I have to say, honestly, that my favorite genre is really whichever one I'm working on at the moment.

What made you decide to try your hand at erotic romance?

I started out writing mildly sensual romance, and quickly realized the most challenging and fun part to write was always the love scene. It didn't take long (maybe two or three books) before the stories became highly sensual. Erotic romance was just the next step, and it's not as easy to write as I thought it would be. Keeping a believable, super-high level of sexual tension throughout a story is very difficult.

I was originally approached by one of my romance editors to try my hand at erotica for an anthology, and I did so enthusiastically. It took several "that's good, but it needs to be hotter" messages before I had it right. The anthology didn't get published, but my story is now available. (RESCUED by Laura Rose)

Many of your books are erotic vampire tales. What do you find sexy about vampires?

There are many sexy things about vampires - eternity, super-strength, flying, amazing mental prowess, and the intimacy of sharing bodily fluids (you asked!). A vampire can easily be an alpha male, and many have had centuries to figure out what women like. I enjoyed, as did many people, Anne Rice's vampire stories, and then got hooked on the television show "Forever Knight," which is actually what started me writing. I discovered fan fiction, wrote almost daily, and got lots of wonderful feedback, critiques, and encouragement. My old FK fanfic buddies were the ones who pushed me into trying novels. So I've always had a warm spot in my heart for vampires. And if the first part of my answer makes no sense to you, you really need to watch a few episodes of "Forever Knight". Yikes! Talk about a sexy vampire!

Do you feel that happily-ever-after is necessary in erotic romance?

Happily-ever-after, by definition, is necessary for romance. I think erotic romance gives us a little leeway; there are times when HEA may not be what we're used to finding, but if the ending is depressing or a downer, I don't consider the story a romance, no matter what has transpired.

My Nathan Cotton series has some not-so-perfectly-happy endings to some of the stories, but I think they're usually emotionally satisfying enough to qualify. And there seems to be a chance of a happy ending to the series if things continue on as they have with Terra. So maybe some of the stories are erotic romance, and some aren't. I think what's really important to me is that my erotica have a good, strong plot. I don't think I could write stories that are nothing but sex without getting bored. (Of course, I don't know - I haven't tried that yet.)

What do you have in the works? Can you give us a sneak peek?

Nathan informed me recently that he plans to visit New Orleans (my hometown), and wants to invite Terra along for a much-needed rest. I believe he will renew several friendships, but I'm a little worried about him. I think the trip may put him in harm's way. Since he hasn't actually made the trip yet, I don't know much more than that. I just know that, with Nathan, there's never a dull moment. Keep an eye on eXtasy Books to find out what happens.

I also have a full-length vampire erotica in the works staring Jake Brand, an old West lawman-turned-vampire. Jake's fun because he believes in fair play, and loves a good, honest fight. Jake and two of his friends take on the vampire hunting community in A FAIR BITE. The book may be coming out in paperback near the end of the year, but I can't say more than that right now.

Here's an excerpt of my most recent Nathan Cotton book, FINAL CHOICES:

Terra glanced around the nearly empty diner, looked across a tattered brown table at her temporary partner, sipping her watery coffee.

Austin smiled. "Coffee's pretty bad."

She nodded. "Yep."

"You come here often?"

"All the time. Makes me appreciate my own cooking."

An older woman with bright red hair piled high on her head approached the table. "Ya'll want anything else?"

They both admitted they'd had enough and the woman left the bill.

"We didn't make much headway tonight," Terra said.

"Oh, I don't know." Austin raised one eyebrow suggestively.

"On the case."

He drank the last of his coffee and grimaced, then returned to his wolfish grin. "The case will work itself out. I'm more interested in public relations at the moment, like between the LAPD and a particular Atlanta cop."

Terra's heart rate increased dramatically under his steady gaze, and she chastised herself. She knew better than to get involved with cops. Why did she find this one so attractive anyway? He was a little on the young side. Most of the guys she dated were in their late thirties, early forties. Except for one, who just happened to be over three hundred.

But she wasn't actually dating Nathan. In fact, there wasn't really a word to define their relationship. Why should there be? How many people had any kind of relationship with a vampire?

"Are you seeing anyone?"

Terra's eyes snapped to Austin's. I don't think that's any of your business, is what she
meant to say. "No."

"No one? I find that hard to believe."

"No one serious."

"Oh, I see. So you do have one or two not-so-serious guys."

"I didn't say that."

He grinned. "You didn't have to. A young woman as good-looking as you has to have a few guys hanging around. The whole male population of Atlanta can't be that stupid."

Terra glanced around the room, trying not to smile. If nothing else, Austin was good for her ego.

"So tell me about your male friends. Anyone interesting?"

Her eyes snapped back to Austin's as a small warning bell went off in her head. Why was he asking these questions? "You want me to introduce you to them? And here I thought you were making a pass at me. I didn't know you were into guys."

Austin laughed. "I am making a pass at you. Guess I'm not too good at small talk."

"No, you're not." She slid out of the booth and hurried toward the cash register.

Austin followed. "Here, let me get that."

Terra ignored his offer, paid the bill, and headed outside.
As she pulled open the driver's door, Austin pushed it shut. "Wait."

Terra turned to find him standing close. She leaned back on the car and looked up into his dark eyes.

He stared at her mouth for a long moment, grinned, and then lowered his mouth to hers.
His lips were warm and full and tasty as they covered hers. He kissed her briefly, drew back just enough to take a deep breath, then kissed her again. His hand slid behind her neck, drawing her up close as he urged her mouth open with his own.

Terra reached out to hold his waist, unsure what to do, unable to remain unresponsive. Austin's masculine scent filled her senses, hammering her wall of defense into powder.

He took her mouth with greedy force, tilting his head to reach deeper, groaning as he wrapped an arm around her.

Terra shook with a rush of desire and heat.

But she knew better.

Using every ounce of willpower she could find, she pushed against his chest with both hands.
Austin resisted her efforts at first, then released her mouth and leaned back to look at her. He sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Damn."

Terra pushed him back farther. "I think that's enough for now."

He grinned. "Sounds like there's hope for the future."

"I didn't say that."

He didn't respond, but continued to grin.

She wished he wouldn't do that. He had the sexiest grin she'd ever seen.

She straightened and turned to her vehicle door once again. "Okay, Detective Williams, shift's over. I'm going home. I'll see you tonight."

He nodded, then stepped back and watched her get in her car.

His gaze rattled her so that she forgot to take off the emergency brake until after she'd completely backed out of the parking space, cursing the car for responding so poorly. She popped the brake and started forward, refusing to look in the rearview mirror. He was probably laughing at her.

Why was she so attracted to this stranger? It wasn't as if she were some sex-starved teenager. "Jeez."

Do you have a website where readers can learn more?

You bet! Please visit me at http://www.sarahstorme.com and follow the links from "my books" to "my spicier books." Also, please join my newsletter (Sarah Storme's Newsletter) on Yahoo Groups - I give away a copy of each new book to one of the people signed up.

Thanks again for being with us, Lydia!

Thank you!

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