Today I am speaking with Sheri Gilmore.

Hi Sheri! And welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! It is great to have you with us today. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to answer questions for us. The readers would love to hear something about Sheri Gilmore.

Why not begin by telling us about your great books and upcoming projects?

Thanks, Linda. It's great to be here and I would love to tell you and the readers all about my books. I write mainly for Loose Id, but I have a short story published with Pretty Things Press in their 'Naughty Stories from A to Z, Volume 4'. I also have another short-story coming out this July, 2006 with Red Sage Publishing in their 'SECRETS Anthology, Volume 16' called 'Bunko'. I am very excited about it. Both of those books are in print format.

My books with Loose Id range from contemporary BDSM to contemporary BDSM/Paranormal with my Hot House books set in Hell and characters ranging from devilish demons to simply sinful angels. My upcoming book is the second book in THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTERS trilogy and is set in Bay St. Louis, MS, but it also alternates to 1692 Salem, MA during the Witch Trials. There is a murder-mystery running through all three books of the trilogy, also. Each book centers around one of the Chappel sisters and features some form/aspect of the occult - Voudon, Witchcraft, reincarnation, etc.

I am very excited about this second book, Witching Hours, which should be out SOON from Loose Id.

Would you change anything about your writing?

I would like to include more horror elements into the stories. That way I would be combining all the genres I love to read - romance, erotica, and horror.

What is your favorite part of writing?

I love the research. Although my writing consists of a lot of hot sex, I do have a plot with my books. I spend a lot of time on research and try to be as authentic as possible with how I present those facts throughout each book even if I don't use 90% of what I learn. You always study/learn more than you use!

Do you miss your characters when you are finished with their tale?

No, but don't tell them that! LOL. I am usually ready to move on to the next story and the next adventure by the time a book gets published.

Every writer dreams about receiving “the call”. What were you doing when yours came in?

The first story I ever sold I had been at work and they told me to take off early. The first thing I did was come home and check my e-mail and there it was. I was scared to open it, because I knew it had to be a rejection. It wasn't and I was so excited, screaming and jumping up and down.

The first actual 'call' I got from a publisher/editor about a story that sold I almost didn't answer the phone, because I thought it was a telemarketer trying to sell me something. When I realized it was an honest to god editor, I was in a daze and just kept saying 'Thank you so much!".

Did you do anything special to celebrate when you heard about your first contract?

My husband took me out to eat at a really nice restaurant and we called everyone we knew and told them the news. Family sent cards and flowers - it was a great feeling of accomplishment and pride.

Do you have any unfinished projects sitting around?

ALWAYS!!! I usually get ideas in the middle of working on a big project and I will jot them down on postcards and file them in my Idea Box that I keep on my desk. I also have several stories that I have started the first few chapters, but have to stop to work on contracted manuscripts. They call my name softly while I am trying to concentrate and remind me they are there waiting impatiently for me to tell their stories.

What is your favorite genre to read?

Lately, paranormal-erotic romance, especially vampire stories. I am a big fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon and Laurell K. Hamilton. I read a lot of other genres (religion, philosophy, history) that are not fiction for my personal growth and for research material.

Do you have a character that is especially close to your heart?

Male: Dante in 'Hot House: Dante & Hayley'
Female: Natalie in 'Candy for Her Soul' in the HARD CANDY anthology with Morgan Hawke and Angela Knight.

Do you have an outline when you begin a story or do the characters just flow in your head and you begin writing?

Several of my stories come from dreams that I have, so I will start writing what the dream was, then do an outline later to help me fill in the blanks. What helps me most is music combined with an outline and the overall picture I have of the story before I start writing. The music helps bring it all out into something that can be shaped into the finished story.

Has being an author changed you life in any way?

Definitely. I used to work full-time as a registered nurse and write part-time. Now, I am writing full-time and it's the best job I could ever have! I love it, and my husband says he can see that I am less stressed out and a happier person because I am fulfilling one of my dreams.

Do you have any pet peeves that you would like to share?

Oh, I have a lot, but you probably mean about writing/reading, huh? :)

I do not like stupid heroines in a contemporary book. Women today are smart and educated, know what they want and how to get it. I also dislike contemporary romances that all end in marriage - it's not all church bells and flowers for a lot of couples these days. I think authors, especially erotic/alternative lifestyle romance authors, should be more aware of that. I think the vast assortment of people we have as readers want to see true to life stories with characters they can relate to.

Do you have anything else you would like to share with your readers?

Just that I love to create stories for my readers that can bring a sense of adventure, romance, fantasy, and hopefully a fact of truth they never knew from my research, and I am so happy that you all love to read my work. That just makes my day. :)

For Fun: what is your favorite comfort food?

Chocolate, of course!

I like the way you constructed the colors in your website. Do you have a website other than http://www.sherisecrets.com that you would like to share with your readers?

I do have a newsletter that everyone can join, if they like, that comes out bi-monthly to announce my upcoming books. I post excerpts and I have a contest for free e-books in the newsletter. They can sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SheriSecrets. Or, they can contact me at sgilmore@sherisecrets.com. I love to hear from my fans.

Thank you so much for sharing time with us today, Sheri. Anyone interested in reading more about Sheri and her marvelous books, please visit her website to read more about her great works. It has been a pleasure Sheri, and I wish you the best with your writing.

Thank you so much for having me. I enjoyed visiting with you all.

Interviewed by: Linda L