Saturday, February 21, 2009

Sugar Shack - Paisley Scott



Please welcome my special guest this week, Scarlet Rose author Paisley Scott, who's chatting about her recent release, Sugar Shack!

Paisley Scott lives in Northwest Louisiana near the Texas border with her husband and three spoiled pups. Ever the romantic, she tries to infuse her steamy stories with heart-melting feelings (as well as lots of sex!) Paisley is also the alter-ego of romance writer, Leslie Ann Dennis, author of hot contemporaries.

Can you tell us a little about your book?

Well, it's actually part of an four-author anthology set to go to print late 2009. Jennifer Haley (our editor), hand-picked four of her authors (Ana Aragon, Devon Gray, April Vine and myself) to take part in this exciting anthology which is based on Dan Fogelberg's classic, "Same Old Lang Syne". All the stories are about former lovers who reconnect after years apart. Jennifer gave us Carte Blanche to do whatever we liked and set it wherever we wanted. How could I refuse? My contribution, SUGAR SHACK, features headstrong journalist Catherine Bennett reuniting with oh-so-sexy maple farmer Luke Mackenzie.

Blurb:

Ten years ago, Catherine Bennett said goodbye to her fiancé, Luke Mackenzie, and his maple farm in Vermont. She wanted to be somebody. She wanted to break out of a small town existence and live the city life. But the higher she flew, the less satisfied she was in love and life. She had left her heart behind. And she'd never forgotten the sizzling sex with blond-haired, muscular Luke.

Now, when her job takes her back home to Vermont, old feelings flame to life. But is Luke still interested? Is he married? And can he ever forgive her for leaving him so long ago? Only one thing's for sure; there's still an attraction. And their reconciliation will burn hotter than the fireworks that light up the New Years Eve sky!

Review from reader, Martin Schwartz (my first male-review): Sugar Shack is the perfect feel-good story to rescue snow-bound readers from the depths of cabin fever. Get it as a holiday gift to yourself. You don't have to read it at Christmas time, but I do recommend reading it during the winter. Summer reading might result in spontaneous combustion.

How did the idea for the plot come about?

It took shape fairly quickly after Jennifer handed down the idea. I loved the thought of former lovers coming back together. I mean, how many of us have replayed the "what if" dream where an old flame comes back after years apart and everything just clicks into place like time has stood still? That's what I wanted for Luke and Cat. Their timing was off the first time, but they get a second chance -- and take every advantage of their time together. I was eager to write a story like this. I tend to "see" the hero first in my head, then I make the woman who can't resist him. *grin* Once I "saw" Luke in my head, their story simply flew from my fingertips.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

*grin* I honestly don't think that's nosy.. it's always interesting to hear the "call" stories. I love to hear them myself! I just wish mine was more exciting -- LOL! Ok, let's see. I've been writing (seriously) since 2000. I had recently rewritten my contemporary story, REASON TO BELIEVE (RTB) (the one I wrote under my real name, Leslie Ann Dennis) which began as a very sweet romance, but got a big shot of steam since erotica was gaining popularity. I figured the best plan would be to spice up RTB and pitch it to publishers of erotic romance. The first place I tried The Wild Rose Press' Scarlet line. Good news and bad news... the good news is the editor LOVED the story but, based on their definition of erotica, it didn't qualify. An erotic romance is one where the main priority is given to the sexual journey and the romance comes after. But RtB's primary goal was romance that also happened to have lots of sex in it. LOL. So... the Scarlet Line passed on RtB, but recommended it to the Champagne Rose line with a HOT rating (which it got). The editors at Scarlet liked my writing and asked me to pen a story for them and make the sexual journey the central point. I immediately got to work and they contracted THE PIRATE AND THE PUSSYCAT just two days after my birthday in July of 2007. So, The Pirate and The Pussycat was my first sale, based on the rejection of Reason to Believe by that line. (RtB was contracted the following month by Champagne Rose) :)

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

Fave books? Oh, that's a tough one! I'm afraid if I start mentioning books written by writer friends, I'll leave someone out and I'll be in the doghouse. So I'll suffice it to say ALL OF MY FRIEND'S BOOKS plus Richard Matheson's WHAT DREAMS MAY COME (the book, NOT the movie) and BID TIME RETURN (Somewhere in Time). I also love Brenda Joyce's "de Warenne Dynasty" series. TV Shows: Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Psych, American Idol, anything on the Food Network, Biography channel, History Channel.... I am very eclectic. LOL!Current fantasy squeeze... mmm.. that's too difficult. I develop crushes on all the hotties who audition for roles as my heroes. *grin*

What are you working on now?

Currently I'm working on another sexy Scarlet. I'm afraid I can't talk too much about it because I'm still in the "planning-scribbling-ideas-and-chucking-wadded-notes-across-the-room" stage. LOL! >How can readers keep up with your writing and books?Oh, I love to hear from readers and other authors! Feel free to contact me at any of the following:email:

PaisleyScott@gmail.com

Website MySpace

Link to all Erotic Romances by Paisley Scott from The Wilder Roses: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=21>

21 comments:

lainey bancroft said...

Nice cover, Paisley! Congrats! And I love reunion romances.

Is anyone else kinda singing Sugar Shack in their heads?

(No? Gah...I must be old)

Zara Penney said...

Getting published is one of those moments you need minties. You know:

Man gets stuck on Mount Everest but saves himself. He comes off mountain fingerless and toeless from frost bite and the journalist sticks the mike under his nose and asks:

"Are you glad you saved yourself?"

Publishing is:

"What does it feel like to be an overnight success?"

LOL
Zara Penney

Ellie Heller said...

So exciting that the publisher recognized what a great writer you are, even if they weren't interested in the original/pitched manuscript. I think that's just great and hope you have even more success going forward.

Emma Lai said...

Congrats on all of your books! The Sugar Shack sounds great! I'll have to add it to my TBR list. My eBook collection will soon reach the proportion of my print collection.

Cari Quinn said...

Great interview! I've wanted to read this one for a while, Paisley! Looking forward to it. :)

Paisley Scott said...

Thanks for all the lovely comments. I hope you enjoy Cat and Luke's story as much as I enjoyed telling it for them. ;-)

And thanks for this wonderful opportunity, Christina!

*HUGS*
Paisley

April Vine said...

Hey, Paisley

You know I’m a huge fan!
I loved Sugar Shack, and Luke still makes me melt any season of the year.
Looking forward to whatever comes next.

Cherise Sinclair said...

How fun to hear about how you came to be published! And I love your first book -- the Pirate and the Pussycat is not only hot, hot, hot, but totally fun! Give us more!

Devon Gray said...

Hi Paisley! Loved the interview (and the books, of course!). I can't wait to read the next Scarlet you have coming out. We all know it will be hot, hot, hot!

Dandy said...

Congratulations!!! Great interview and a fantastic book.

Looking forward to reading your next story. If it is anything like Sugar Shack it is sure to be a hit.

Rebecca J. Clark said...

Hi Paisley--Great post. I love your path to publication. It's similar to mine, but mine took WAY longer.

I'm curious, why did you decide to take a pen name for your erotica stories when you were already writing hot? I ask, because I might be dealing with the same issue shortly.

:)Becky

Kaye Manro said...

Hi Paisley! I love your pen name. Congrats on the sales. And another great interview from Christina. Sugar Shack sounds great.

Sandra Cormier said...

I love the book, I love the title, and I love the reviews so far, Paisley! Best of luck with your sales.

Lainey, I can only remember the song Love Shack, but not Sugar Shack!

Paisley Scott said...

Hi Becky! My pen name is a funny story (well, probably only funny to me, but I'll tell it anyway - LOL). I had a betta fish that I named Paisley (it was lavender with a pattern of turquoise down its side). I loved to look at it when I wrote, swimming around in its little tank with its little scuba diver and plant-covered castle.

ANYWAY... I'd written Reason to Believe more as a SWEET romance. BUT seeing how popular erotica had become, I decided to sex things up a little in RTB. So I flung open the bedroom door (and the study, and the car, and everywhere else my hero and heroine felt the urge) instead of their encounters "fading to black". However, when my editor told me it was still a romance (albeit a hot one) instead of an erotica, I decided I'd keep my "real" name for everything considered a regular romance (ie: not an erotica) and I would write all my erotica stories as Paisley. It keeps me focused -- and to be honest, I find myself a lot freer to take chances and be naughty as Paisley. LOL! Isn't it funny when you're "incognito" you can just let go?

Oh, and back to Paisley, the fish. Unfortunately, she went to the big aquarium in the sky (and no, I didn't flush her before her time LOL). But she was inspirational as I wrote my first erotica (and can be credited for my choice of names).

Thanks for the question!

And thank you all for being so sweet and dropping in to read my story!

*HUGS*
Paisley

Anonymous said...

Well, you know how much I loved Sugar Shack and RtB, so it's especially satisfying to see you talking about these wonderful stories with such enthusiasm and excitement. You do a great job of passing those warm fuzzies on to your readers! Thumbs up, P! Now go un-wad one of those balled-up pieces of paper overflowing the trash can and let me sneak a peek at the newest story. :-)

Mary Ricksen said...

Vermont! I was born in Vermont. My book also takes place there. Where in Vermont? This is so exciting for me. Great sales Paisley, I wish you the best.

Helen Hardt said...

I've read this one and it's HOT. Great job, Paisley!

Helen

Christina Phillips said...

Oh! I love the story behind your pen name, Paisley! I sometimes wonder if I should use another name for my non-erotic romances but since I have enough trouble remembering who to sign off as at the moment that's probably not a good idea!

Shelley Munro said...

There's something about a reunited lovers story that always grabs me. Sugar Shack sounds great, and I love the title.

Anonymous said...

Of all the kinds of romance, the stories of lovers reunited resonate most strongly over time.

Amber
www.shapeshiftersinlust.com

Anonymous said...

Hiya Leslie my friend...just read the interview and its fabulous, I purchased Sugar Shack when it released as I do all your books and as I already told you..it was golden..for those of you who haven't read it...PLEASE DO!!!! Its just so sweet and CALIENTE...HOT HOT HOT!!! You always outdo yourself and I'm always looking forward to your next project....Hugs!