Smutketeers

The fabulous Jax Cassidy is here today to talk about her latest book, BRUSH STROKES, available now from Amber Quill Press! This is a hot, sensual read, so we’re happy to help her pimp it. Jax is a dear friend of the Smutketeers-a pint-sized power-house who writes, paints, designs websites and is never afraid to tell it like it is. She’s also the co-founder of Romance Divas, the award-winning writer’s resource website and discussion forum where the Smutketeers all met. If we didn’t love her anyway, we’d love her just for that! She’s also a hot little vixen, so be sure to check out her website to see for yourself!

Jax is running a contest today, too, so read her interview and check for details at the end!

~Welcome to the Smutketeers, Jax! We’ve missed you! We know you’ve been busy, busy, busy, and are here to tell us about your latest release, BRUSH STROKES, so give us a little peek…

I’m totally excited to be here! In more ways than one. ;) I’m even wearing my favorite leopard print D&G lingerie for just this occasion.

Can I just say how thrilled I am that BRUSH STROKES found a good home? I wrote this story a little over a year ago and it’s possibly one of my favorites ever. It’s a piece that just flowed as soon as the idea popped into my head. I could see the entire passionate love story between these two characters, down to the little details. I’m all for love at first sight so I hope there’s a believability factor. :)

Don’t be shocked but I’m not actively involved in an alternative lifestyle, although it was very titillating to delve into the research. It actually all started sometime in July 2008 when I received a book called NAUGHTY PARIS: A Ladies Guide to the Sexy City by the author Heather Stimmler-Hall. Let me tell you, it’s such a wonderful, refreshing guidebook for women and showcases all the sensual places that can be found in Paris. Of course, since I had previously lived in the City of Light, it was interesting to discover all the things I missed out on. One of the sections featured an elusive underground sex club and I immediately fell in love with the images on the pages, and swirling in my head.

You can find a brief excerpt of BRUSH STROKES on my website www.jaxcassidy.com

~We writers tend to get attached to certain stories, and sometimes to a scene or a line. Is there one in BRUSH STROKES you’re particularly in love with?

Gosh, I’m kind of a dork when it comes to the hero and heroine finally getting things right in their relationship. I’m not going to give anything away, so you’re going to have to purchase the eBook to find out for yourself. ;)

~You’re a rockin’ cover artist-did you do the cover for BRUSH STROKES yourself? Tell us where we can see your other cover art.

Awww, thanks Eden.

I would have to say for this cover I knew exactly what I wanted and worked very closely with the cover artist to help me translate my ideas. I’m very pleased with the end result. Thanks, Trace! He’s always fantastic to work with.

As for my own cover work, I have some of samples available on my design site www.jaxadoradesign.com. Yes, it’s long overdue for an update but I’ll get to it after deadlines…

~You write in multiple genres: contemporary, paranormal, urban fantasy…do you have a preferred genre, or does it just depend on the way a story idea hits you?

I enjoy the diversity of genres but the underlying theme is the love connection between the characters. I adore contemporaries and I think I’ll never stop writing them just because they’re so much fun. Somehow there’s always a dark edge to them because my hero/heroines are so tortured. I just don’t know why there’s always the funny bits of dialogue that manages to creep in….perhaps I believe laughter is the best way to hide the pain.

~How integral is romance in your erotic work? Can you write erotic without the romance? Do you have a particular philosophy behind it?

Romance is a ‘must’. I love HEA and personally feel it’s a prerequisite! I’m sure I can write erotic without the romance but I really don’t want to write them unless I have to. Call me old fashioned but I believe the lovemaking aspect describes the importance of the act. Secondly, impact is what I hope to achieve in the love scenes.

Although a total tomboy, I grew up believing in fairytales and finding Prince Charming. I don’t expect anything less. Why should I? Naturally my stories would contain a hint of the fairytales in my head. Erotic romance is an escape and I’m hoping readers will go with it, hopefully seeing that my writing comes from a romantic place in my heart.

~We’ve met your significant other-and adore him, you lucky girl! How does being in love inspire your work?

Writing about love when you’re not in love is like an actor pretending to act. A writer is very much their writing. I don’t think I really knew what the hell I was writing when it came to down to it—it’s all an illusion that you hope your readers won’t notice. However, when I truly fell in love with ‘the one’, everything changed! The moment it happened for me, I found my writing voice. Now the actor who has prepared, trained, and rehearsed is ready for their big moment. Truthfully my writing voice was there all along but I was too preoccupied to see it. All it took was Mr. Right to open my eyes to this truth.

~We writers are a sensitive bunch. Do you have a special writing ritual or habits? Or are you one of those few who can sit down anywhere with your laptop and write?

Don’t hate me, but I’m one of those people who can sit down anywhere and write. I tune everything around me out. However, I can also be easily distracted so I have to really feel the writing to write. I enjoy writing under pressure because my stories are more organic and I seem to be able to produce more while stressed.

~You lived in Paris for several years (we actually didn’t hate you before but we just might have to now! *G*), and we know readers would love to know what that was like. Was the city as romantic as people say it is? What was your favorite thing about living in Paris?

Gosh, it all seems like a dream. I remember EVERYTHING about Paris. It’s truly one of those breathtaking cities where the architecture is unbelievably gorgeous, where fashion reigns, where the food is to die for, and where everything feels— and is so intimate. I would immerse myself in the lifestyle and would often take long walks along the cobblestone paths. I could never get enough of those patisseries, cafes, and shops. It’s like walking in a dream and I think I must have pinched myself every day to make sure I was really there. I often miss Paris and someday I’d like to have a place there again. In fact, I want to catch a plane now!

~How do you think your extensive travels have affected your writing?

Every writer should travel. There’s something magical about visiting familiar and unfamiliar places. It’s a grand adventure and wherever you manage to be, there’s something amazing you can take away from it. I’m a visual person and I absorb the bits and pieces to draw for my readers. I want them to see, taste, and touch what I’ve experienced and writing is a great way to take the person with you on these trips. Travel is enriching and it’s food for your soul. If you never go out into the great unknown, you’re missing out on all the beauty that this world has to offer.

~Name three of your favorite movies of all time:

You know I’m a huge movie buff…this is a tough one.

I’d have to say Pride & Prejudice, Ever After, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

~Tell us what else we can see from you this year. What are you working on now?

BRUSH STROKES is the first release of 2010 and I don’t have any other releases this year. Although, I have plans on writing a few more short stories that will hopefully come out later in the year, I’ve mainly been focusing on a paranormal series, two contemporary romances, and a YA paranormal series. Crossing my fingers that everything will fall into place and I’ll be back at the Smutketeers to talk about them!

And now for a few rapid-fire questions:

~Boxers or briefs? Boxers
~Cold beer or girly drink with a li’l pink umbrella? Ice cold beer
~Lounging on the beach in Fiji or backpacking in Nepal? Both
~Jeans and a cute T or cocktail dress and heels? Jeans and a cute T and heels :)
~Quickie in the shower or make-out at the movies? Definitely quickie in the shower
~Tattoos or piercing? Tattoos
~Hugs or kisses? Kisses (I’m a tramp)

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CONTEST! Jax is giving away an ARC (author review copy) of BRUSH STROKES! To enter, you’ll have to visit Jax’s website to find out the names of her hero and heroine from her August 2009 release, THE ART OF SENSUALITY (an awesome book, BTW!). Just post your answer here-along with any other comments-by midnight tomorrow night. Then check back to see if you’ve won on Tuesday the 12th!

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Be sure to visit Jax’s website: www.jaxcassidy.com or her blog: www.jaxadora.blogspot.com for writing news and updates, or, if you’re nosy like us, to find out what she’s up to and what she’s thinking!
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Thanks for coming to visit the Smutketeers, Jax! *big smooches* from all four of us! At the same time. And maybe even with a little tongue…