Guest Blogger Suzanne Rock

Shapeshifter Seductions Interview with Suzanne Rock

First off, I would like to thank the ladies at Shapeshifter Seductions for having me on to talk about my new release from Loose-Id. It’s a paranormal erotic shape-shifter novella called Spyder’s Web.


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How did you celebrate your release of Spyder’s Web?

At first I was incredibly nervous. I went to the “buy page” on the Loose-Id site and kept refreshing it throughout the day. I have no idea why I did this. The information there didn’t change, nor were there any reviews listed (Loose-Id doesn’t list reader reviews on their site). I think I was just trying to absorb the fact that I wrote a book and it got published. *VBG*

My husband was more excited about the release than I was. He posted it to his twitter and Facebook page. Problem with that is that he used my real name. I mean, what’s the point of using a pen name if everyone knows your real name? LOL. Excited husband = no anonymity. LOL. He was really sweet, though. He got a bottle of wine and we toasted the new release together. I’m really lucky that I have such a supportive spouse.

How did your family react to you writing romance novels? Have your family read your books?

In general my family has been very supportive. Most of them had no idea what an ebook was before I got published. I’ve introduced a lot of them to the epublishing world. J

Some have read Spyder’s Web, most haven’t. My husband won’t read my work, although he knows I write erotic romance. He has this “I just don’t want to know.” attitude. LOL. I think he might be a little afraid of what he might find between the pages. J


Where do you get the inspiration for your books?

I get my ideas from a variety of sources, but mostly books and movies.
The idea for Spyder’s Web began after I read a couple of erotic paranormals and saw a television special on the old Studio 54 in New York.
I love old movies – especially the heroes in old movies. The idea for the hero in Spyder’s Web, James, came from a blending of James Dean and Humphrey Bogart.

Humphrey BogartJames Dean

The heroine, Spyder, was developed from a couple of movies I saw starring Christina Ricci.

Christina Ricci

The world building came from an all-night Wikipedia search on different vermin (yeah, I know). I did it with my critique partner, Ella Ricci. (Thinking about it still makes me laugh.) It also came from a conversation I had with my dental hygienist where she told me about this hawk that landed in her back yard.

It didn’t all come together, though, until I read a series of posts Jessica Faust did on her blog about how a writer can “hook” a reader into a story.


I know this seems like an eclectic list, but it would make more sense after you read the story. I really take bits of information from a variety of sources and stick it all together.

Most writers are avid readers. Is this the same for you? If so, who are some of your favorite writers?

World building is huge with me. Most of the fun for me is creating interesting worlds. As a result, I love the complex world building in Kresley Cole novels. I admire the use of mythology in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series and Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series.

In erotic romance, my tastes are more wide spread. I feel I’m still exploring this area and will be more apt to pick up a new erotic romance author than any other genre. I think one of the most influential writers for me so far has to be Megan Hart. I just love her complex characters. Dirty is still one of the best erotic romances I’ve ever read, although it isn’t a paranormal. For paranormal erotic romances, Lora Leigh’s Breeds series is one of my favorite.

Hmm, now that I read this, I’m noticing a theme with me. I tend to like very complex characters and unique, multi-layered world building. :)

Do you feel it is difficult at times to write a love scene?

Goodness, yes! I don’t seem to have a problem editing, but the drafting can be a killer. I normally have to have a glass of wine – or two – before I can even attempt it. LOL. It never fails that when I’m in the middle of a sex scene, hubby will want me to help him unload the dishes or one of my girls will want me to fix them a snack. LOL.

What are you reading now?

I’m reading Love without Blood by Raz Steel. I love a good vampire story! :)

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Spyder’s Web is available now from Loose-Id.

Blurb:

I have a dark secret. I’m cursed with an intense sexual desire which can never be satisfied. If I abstain, I go mad. If I have sex, I black out and my partner ends up dead. The only way to break the curse is to find my protector and soul mate. Until then, I’ll just have to try to find a way to get by…

James is a cop who thinks I’m the "Black Widow" serial killer people are talking about. He's watching in the shadows, waiting for me to slip up so he can send me to jail. My curse longs to claim him, but I resist because he saved my life. Soon, I will need him to do it again.

Now his morbid fascination with me has turned into an obsession. I don't know how much longer I can keep him at arm's length.

I'm not sure I want to...

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, violence, voyeurism.

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Buy link: http://www.loose-id.com/prod-Spyder_s_Web-953.aspx

If you want to learn more about Suzanne Rock and her stories, you can visit her at any of the following places:

Website: http://www.suzannerock.com/index.html
Group Blog: http://embracetheshadows.wordpress.com/
Yahoo Loop: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/embrace_the_shadows/
Twitter: http://www.facebook.com/suzanne.rock
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/suzanne.rock