Friday Friends: Samantha Hunter

I can't remember exactly how or when Sam and I "met". I think it was from a blog where she was a guest, and I won a copy of one of her books -- and I was immediately hooked on her yummy hero. Then we started chatting constantly on Twitter, and emailing daily, and next thing you know, we're both writing books for the Strangers on a Train series from Samhain! (In fact, she inspired the title for my book, Back on Track, when she tweeted to me one day about how she needed to get back to writing.)

Sam gives great advice about writing and the publishing biz, having been involved with both for a long time. We have yet to meet face-to-face, but every time she talks about some great recipe she's making, I always invite myself to her house -- so we're bound to get to chat in person sometime soon!

Her newest Samhain release, Bending Over Backwards, just received an RT Top Pick! A big round of applause for the lovely and talented Samantha. . .

Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (*covers eyes of other characters*) Why do you love them best?

My favorite hero would have to be my genie (yes, you heard me right), Alec, from my Blazing Bedtimes anthology story, "I Wish He Might...." Alec is my favorite because at the time I had been dying to write a genie, and then I got the chance to write one for Blaze. Also, he's a genie -- seriously, he grants wishes. I had such fun playing with that, and with his world. And he was pretty darned sexy to boot. But he had to be my favorite hero to write, and come to think of it, he had a friend in that story that I always meant to follow up on.... ;)

 

A hero who can make ALL my wishes come true?! I'm in love! So tell us what is your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (We always need new ones.)

Oh, so many. My favorite is anything that allows me to get something else done – so, while I often avoid writing while staring at Twitter, etc that leaves me more frustrated, because I accomplished nothing. So, if I can at least do something (like filling out a blog questionnaire) or maybe go weed something in the garden or bake cookies, etc I can feel productive in some way, even if it’s not words on the page. That also often helps me figure out why I was avoiding writing in the first place.

Well, being on Twitter is always work-related, especially if it results in a book series! If you were able to go on a writing retreat (we've got our bags packed already!), where would it be?

Ohhhh. Too many places! And we’re supposed to get work done, right? We’ll need somewhere with good food and lots of inspiration, so I’m thinking maybe a beautiful Greek town where there are amazing restaurants and olive trees to sit under or beaches to visit (and many gorgeous men to ogle) while we all brainstorm and draft out brilliant stories. Or a lovely Spanish or Tuscan town? Good wines and lovely views… 

I'll volunteer for the ogling! And work? What's that? Okay, what's the word you love to use (and abuse and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)?

I constantly overabuse “look” – I don’t have any special affection for the word itself, but I guess as I’m writing and thinking about story, word choice sometimes falls by the wayside and I throw it in there all too easily….. Though I seem to do this with different words in each book. I remember way back to my very first Blaze, it was “sigh” – and then there have been so many others….

I think that's a great description of how those words sneak in there. Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books. Well, assuming you haven't already!

Quit writing. (Ha!).  Nah, but I might write very differently while I am in the middle of my world travels or setting up my pet rescue center – imagine all the new material!! 

Aww, a pet rescue center. That is wonderful! And you're so right about all the new material. Next is The Tasty Ten, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way: 

Coffee or tea?  COFFEE!!!

Drafting or revising?  REVISING

Twitter or Facebook? FACEBOOK

Winter or Summer? SUMMER

Baseball or Football?  BASEBALL (Go RED SOX!)

Morning or evening? EVENING

Pirate or cowboy?  COWBOY

Rare or well-done? MEDIUM  :P

Beer or wine?  BEER

Biter or licker? (Hey! I'm talking ice cream cones here!)  LICKER. (I like to make it last, ahem)

Well, of course!  That's the best part. :) Sam, thanks so much for being a Friday Friend. It was great fun, and congrats again on the RT Top Pick for Bending Over Backwards. Let me know what time to show up for the celebratory dinner. . . the one YOU are making!

~~~~

Author Bio

Samantha Hunter lives in Syracuse, New York, where they have very cold winters, so she likes to write hot books! When she’s not plotting her next book, Sam spends time on numerous hobbies and crafts, and enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and their dogs. She’s also an unapologetic TV addict. If you would like to learn more about her books, current releases and news, please check out her website at samanthahunter.com. You can also email her at samhunter@samanthahunter.com and look for her on Twitter and Facebook.

Social Media Links

Twitter

Facebook

Book Blurb

Jasmine Stanford has to be the most stressed-out yoga instructor on Cape Cod. Years after a childhood trauma left her penniless, homeless and parentless, working hard to maintain her hard-won success and security is all she knows.

Controlling her carefully rebuilt life is Jasmine's first priority, and there's no room or time in it for sexy former stockbroker Leo Fischer. But the more Leo comes around, the more Jasmine feels her resolve crumbling.

Leo is--or was--a hotshot investment banker until a workplace tragedy wiped out his memory and his career. On Cape Cod to recover, he's at loose ends, his future uncertain...until Jasmine becomes his north star. But their relationship is only physical, and Jasmine keeps her distance, even when she's as close to him as any woman can be.

Jasmine is anything but indifferent to the desire exploding between them. A summer fling was fine when she thought Leo would return to New York. But she's falling hard--and the last thing she wants to catch her is the past... 

Excerpt:

“So who is dinner for?” Leo asked.

Jasmine worked at the stove, focusing intently on her recipe. As she walked to the sink, she spared him a glance.

“I’d rather not say.”

“I’d rather you did.”

She looked at him then. “Why? Because we have sex? One thing has nothing to do with the other.”

He snapped then, closing the distance between them in a few, long steps and backing her up against the counter. Her softness gave way to him as he closed in, trapping her there.

“I think it has everything to do with everything.”

Before she could retort, he kissed her, hard—possessive—letting her know exactly where he was at. He plunged deep inside her mouth and took what he wanted to be his. Only his.

 ---------------------------------------------

"Yoga and sex have both been practiced for centuries to improve the mind, body and soul. Hunter pens an erotically charged romance where they blend perfectly [...] will have readers begging for more."  - RT Book Reviews, Top Pick!

Book Buy Links

Amazon ~~ B&N  ~~ Samhain

Comments

[Melissa]

Another fun interview, Donna! Samantha, I'm now having daydreams of a sexy genie granting wishes...so thanks for that! :)

[Donna Cummings]

Thanks, Melissa! I could definitely put that genie to good use too. :)

[Samantha Hunter]

Thanks for coming by Melissa -- I had fun dreaming up the genie smexin' as well, LOL. Definitely not your average guy. *G*

Donna, you made me think we should have had a question about what would you wish for? if you had your own genie. ;)

Sam

[Donna Cummings]

Sam, that's an excellent question! Right now I'd have my genie run down to the store and get me some ice cream. Although I suppose since he's a genie, he doesn't have to "run" anywhere, does he? LOL

[Samantha Hunter]

Nope, he can just pop it right into your hands (the ice cream, that is).

Sam ;)