On a cold wintry evening Fallen Angel Reviews welcomes Melodee Aaron, erotic author specializing in books filled with action and women who know what they want. Hi Melodee, how are you doing this evening?

Hello, Rachelle and all the Fallen Angel Reviews readers. It's great being here. Even though this is southern California, it's been a little chilly here at 4100 feet up in the mountains!

Since I know you’re in California I won’t offer you a cup of hot chocolate but maybe some tea or Starbucks instead? Melodee, you mentioned on your myspace.com page that you’re a professional writer. Is this a dream job for you or something you tried and found you were great at?

Tea, please. I'm an admitted tea-a-holic, but Lipton hasn't started a 12-step program for that yet.

I guess you could call it a dream job, but perhaps a lifetime ambition might be more correct. When I was a child, my great-grandmother told stories. Not too surprising considering we were all just hillbillies from the Ozarks. Truth is, I still am!

I remember sitting on the front porch of her old house while she rocked slowly in an old hand-made rocking chair and smoked home-grown tobacco in her corncob pipe. She would tell me stories about anything and everything. Many were just stories about the old days and scratching out a living as hard dirt farmers. Others were about life in the country and small towns. Some were ghost, or 'hants' as she called them, stories. But they all shared the quality of bringing old fashioned values and meanings to a more modern world.

Great-grandma lived to 103 years old. She remembered the days before cars and planes and electricity and radio and TV. She also saw men walking on the moon. And she loved the entire journey, and that love came through in her stories.

I knew at a very young age that I wanted to tell stories, too.

Can you share one lesson you’ve learned since becoming a writer that you feel can help others who are looking to become full time writers?

In a word, persistence.

At this moment, I have three novels published with Siren and a forth coming in May from Twilight Fantasies. I have a number of other stories and books under contract or pending while in negotiations. I've had my fair share of acceptances and offer letters.

But I have had many, many more rejections.

It's easy to get discouraged. It's easy to give up. In fact, that's a lot easier than pressing forward.

While I lean to the conservative side politically, one of my favorite things ever said by a politician was when John F. Kennedy said, "We do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard." Doing the hard thing is the way to grow and learn. Anything that is easy probably isn't worth doing.

My advice to aspiring writers is to take what you can learn from those countless rejections and apply that to your writing. Polish your skills as a storyteller and a writer. Then send your story off again.

In short, stick to it!

Prior to 2005 you’ve written multiple short stories in the Sci-fi genre under other names. I’m curious have you now found a new home with erotic romance or do you see yourself continuing to create Science fiction since that is a genre dear to your heart?

I am still writing in the genres outside of erotica, but this has become my "home". The freedom to explore and the lack of restrictions is exhilarating.

In the non-erotica arena, I have to defend each and every word that someone, someplace, on the planet might see as even just a little off color. Needless to say, that's not a problem in erotica.

But it's mostly a matter of the freedom to go where no one has gone before.

The treatment of the ménage I did with The Polyamorous Princess is one example. As several reviewers have pointed out, the story is not a simple ménage in a sea of other ménage stories. Polyamory is something very different. The emotional content is what I wanted to explore.

I normally start reviews speaking about the professional side of an author then going over to the personal but after cruising your My Space page and your website Melodee I have to ask you about your “fight the system” years. Talk about a rebel! You have bucked the envelope since you were a teenager and I’m wondering have some of your personal characteristics transferred over into the stories you create?

And I am still fighting the system!

They clearly have spilled over. As I mentioned earlier, I'm a political conservative, and that shows in the stories. The Empire of Mankind that plays so predominately in the Ike Payne Adventures and in The Polyamorous Princess is very conservative. Ike herself is a classic conservative military officer.

In Casting Call for Love (May from Twilight Fantasies), that conservative overtone plays out even though the industry is one normally opposed by conservative groups.

And then you have Harry from The Polyamorous Princess...

Harry is in many ways a male version of me. I like to think of myself as intelligent, though maybe not to Harry's level. Harry also shares my conservative streak, but he is clearly a nonconformist and has little respect for authority.

That's me!

So let’s talk about your Ike Payne Adventures. Pretend I’ve never heard of Ike. What are some fast facts FAR readers should know about her and in your own words what can they expect from her stories?

Ike is a dichotomy. She is tough, hard, and a trained killer. She is all business and has no patience for incompetence or people who give less than 100% effort. On the other hand, she has a tender streak a mile wide, but she keeps that well suppressed. Most people have the impression that, at some point in her past, Ike was hurt very badly on an emotional level.

When she meets Devon, something in his rather awkward and bumbling way of being an alpha male touched Ike, and that tenderness inside crawls out.

Ike could be described as an alpha woman. She is very strong, and needs a very alpha male to balance her. On the surface, Devon looks like the wrong choice. To be blunt, he's a bit of a klutz! But, when you get to know him, he's very much Ike's equal. He's just a little clumsy due to exposure to Ike and his intense attraction to her.

What readers can expect is a sometimes radical departure from the standard formula of romance stories.

Ike is a sexual creature, and she isn't afraid to admit that.

Devon isn't the off-the-shelf romance novel hero, and that doesn't embarrass him.

Remember that whole thing about me being a nonconformist?

Melodee, your books seem to stay on the best seller’s list over at Siren Publishing. With such a talented and diverse group of authors what do you feel enables your work to stand out and continue to excel with fans of Siren Publishing?

I can't say enough about the Siren authors. That is one of the most talented collection of writers you will find anyplace, in any genre. To be a part of that is like a dream.

I think we're back to the nonconformity again. Everyone in the genre, from authors to publishers to editors to readers, is aware that things are changing. The readers are expecting and, by their purchases, demanding new and different things. While all the writers with Siren give the readers those new and different things, I think my works take that to extremes in some cases.

I'll admit that sometimes I have to fight to keep things in a story. I'll also admit that some reviewers don't like certain things. The real proof is in what the readers like.

I like to think that I give the readers a little thrill they can't get anyplace else.

One of your upcoming releases, Casting Call for Love, is from a new e-publisher, Twilight Fantasies Publications. I found it interesting your blurb defines the “purpose” of pornography and on your My Space page you made it a point to clarify your books as something outside of this preconceived notion. This position seems to be an ever-evolving discussion by readers and authors of romance. Why do you feel there is such a strong debate and are you offended when people classify erotic romances in the same boat as porn.

As you point out, I make it clear that I do not consider what I write to be pornography. The simple fact is that some people do see it that way.

I make that clear on my MySpace page so visitors are not surprised. Personally, I find porn neither offensive nor any more degrading than many other things. While I certainly would not work as a porn star, that doesn't give me the right to force that on someone else. And besides, the money is good!

The main reason that it doesn't bother me for people to compare my work to porn is that I know the difference. So do the two industries.

I foresee our business of erotica romance and the porn industry converging on a point. Very soon, maybe within a few years, the porn studios will be making erotica romance movies based on our books.

Since I mentioned Casting Call for Love can you tell us a little bit about the story? The blurb alone made me think of an emotionally charged erotic offering with a lot of angst.

First, Casting Call for Love is a change of gears for me. Instead of being science fiction and based in some far away place thousands of years in the future, Casting Call for Love takes place in Los Angeles about now, give or take a few years.

Valerie is an out of work actress and is down on her luck. Roland makes erotic romance movies and has his own problems.

Hey! This is romance and there is no secret that Valerie and Roland form a couple. But it's not that easy...between opposition from Roland's colleagues and friends, and a myriad of other issues, it's a long and winding road.

And there in the background is Elektra, a 4000-year old vampire, stalking her prey in the night.

The story has many components; sub-genres, if you like. In addition to the contemporary setting, there is some comedy and a dash of paranormal horror I think will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

Ok Melodee, I’m sure you’re ready for some lighter questions so for that lets us switch over to the personal side of Melodee. Saying that you are an animal lover doesn’t do justice to your current load. Tell us about your furry friends and are there plans in the works to add more of them to your abode?

I love my animals! Having no children, I really do see them as my kids.

Tripper is my dog, so named because he has only 3 legs. I adopted him from the San Diego Human Society only 9 days after they were forced to remove his left hind leg. Actually, he adopted me. I just couldn't resist! I've always been a sucker for a guy with big brown eyes who needs someone to take care of him!

My cats are: Alexa (8), Moose (also 8, Alexa's brother), Chaos (6), and Kittles (14, I think).

Alexa thinks she's the queen of the roost, but she's just a little angel...the Angel of Darkness!

Moose is a little shy around new people, but he warms up fairly fast.

Chaos only has one eye. He lost his left eye before I adopted him when he and his siblings fell asleep in the engine compartment of a car. When the owner started the car, one of the kittens was killed and Chaos was hurt. The other 3 kittens were unharmed.

Kittles is a beautiful Himalayan I got from a friend who could no longer care for her.

There is always room for more!

I have to ask you how can you not love fruit?? Isn’t that on the verge of being sacrilegious? Is there some sinister story from your childhood you want to tell us about, a talking banana that hunts you to this day?

Ah! The no fish, no fruit comment! That really applies to pizza more than anything else. The idea of pineapple of pizza...really!

But California introduced me to pizza with pesto sauce, artichokes, ham, and provolone cheese. Now THAT is good!

Since I know you’re not a lover of TV, when you’re not writing how do you spend your leisure time?

What's leisure time?

I read quite a bit, and I like movies.

My tastes in films runs to the older movies. I'm a big fan of John Wayne and of musicals. Somehow, the idea of John Wayne in a musical is both enticing and revolting!

I also like to walk. You can frequently find me walking around my property with Tripper just about any time of the year except when it's terribly cold (below 25) or terribly hot (above 100).

I also love to go to the desert at night and watch for falling stars.

Outside of science fiction Melodee what other kinds of books would I find on your bookshelves? Name three of your favorite titles not including Ringworld?

It is an eclectic mix. Science fiction is the lion's share, but you'll also find thrillers, some horror, mystery, comedy, and assorted non-fiction.

I have to stay with Larry Niven for at least one of my favorites...Lucifer's Hammer. A classic end-of-the-world tale with a number of interesting twists. Picture The Stand meets Deep Impact.

Second, Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy. Yes, it's three books, but I only count it as one!

Lastly, Stephen King's Dark Tower series. Not at all what you expect from King.

Some unknown stranger has just sent you an all expenses paid vacation of your choice, where are you going and what do you plan on doing once you get there? “You can dream right”?

You'll laugh at me...

I absolutely love Disney World in Florida. I've been more than 20 times, and I could go another 200 times and still enjoy every moment. I don't have a clue what it is about the place that grabs and holds me, but it somehow does.

First ride I will get on after arrival: Space Mountain.

Melodee, I appreciate the time you’ve taken out of your evening to allow Fallen Angel Reviews and their readers a more in depth look at you as an author. Can you give us a sneak preview of any upcoming projects you are currently working on?

I have two major projects in the works right now...

First is a series of long short stories for Siren set in the Ike Payne universe. These stories will involve a ship doing exploratory and diplomatic work for the Empire and will center on a string of first contacts with other civilizations.

Second is a series of novellas that are in the Casting Call for Love setting. Let's just say that there interesting times ahead for Valerie, Roland, and Elektra.

Melodee, it has been a pleasure to learn more about you and your books. Where can FAR readers find additional information about you, your books and any upcoming appearances or chats you have scheduled?

The easiest places for readers to learn more are on my web site at www.melodeeaaron.com and on my MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/melodeeaaron

Readers can also E-Mail me at melodeeaaron@yahoo.com.

It's been a lot of fun talking with you, Rachelle, and I appreciate the chance to get to know you and the FAR readers a little better.

Interviewed by: Rachelle