Hello! Welcome my first author interview!
I met this lovely lady on Facebook and now
I am pleased to have her on my blog talking all about her and her writing! She
has even shared an excerpt from her book titled My Beginning! Please welcome
LaQuette!
Hi Té. Thank you so much for having me. My name is
LaQuette and I am an author of romance fiction. I have been writing since
I was a child. I learned very early on that writing was my best means of
expressing myself, so I always had a habit of jotting down my thoughts in
diaries and journals. I began reading romance novels at the age of
sixteen. Once I started reading them, I fell in love with the
genre. To this day, no other genre of writing compares. My reading
of romance led me to create my own stories. I started writing romance,
because I was reading so much romance, and it all just sort of clicked into
place naturally.
What are your ambitions for your writing?
I really just want to write the best stories I can in order to
produce the best product possible for my readers. I work hard on my
pieces, I am always so afraid of shortchanging my readers. I’m producing
my own work via self-publishing at the moment. I hope to someday in the
near future publish other authors as well.
Which writers inspire you?
I am influenced by so many for so many different reasons.
The late Francis Ray, Rochelle Alers, Brenda Jackson, Donna Hill, and Sandra
Kitt helped me fall in love with the African American romance genre.
Until I discovered these authors, I mostly read Harlequin romances. I
still love Harlequin, but I also love reading about people from my own culture
and ethnicity as well. I’m also a fan of yours Té, as well as authors
like Wahida Clark and Carl Webber who successfully bring us the tales from
urban areas like Queens and Brooklyn that I’m personally familiar with.
Their stories always made me feel like I was there, because I knew exactly the
places they were describing. I’m a fan of the racier storytellers as
well, authors like Avril
Ashton, L.A. Witt, A.J. Thomas, and Amy Lane provide my education
in spice. These erotica writers
know how to burn up the pages.
So what have you written?
I’ve written several manuscripts, however, My Beginning is my
first published novel.
Where can we buy or see them?
The paperback can be found on my website: http://www.LaQuetteLikes.com.
There are also ebook links on my website as well that will lead
you to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m currently working on a book called, Heart of the Matter.
It is about an NYPD lieutenant whose past traumatic experiences color her entire world: work, love life,
family. She meets a man involved with her case that sets out to destroy
all of her rigid preconceived notions about men and love. I’m about
halfway through with it, and loving every minute of writing it.
Why do you write?
Honestly, I love the process of creating these characters and
storylines. I love the fact that I essentially get to create a world that
engages the senses of the reader, making it almost tangible when the reader
sits down with it. I love the fact that something that lived only in my
imagination now becomes something concrete as it lives in the pages of my
work. I also write because I like knowing that I provide a little
escapism for my readers while they are visiting the worlds I’m creating.
Why do you write this particular genre?
You know, I always get very offended when people add a negative
connotation to the romance genre. I love romance fiction, I always
have. Unfortunately, this type of fiction has gained a great deal of
unwarranted criticism in the literary world. Those who consume and create
romance fiction are often marginalized by critics in the literary world.
I like romance because a love story beats at the heart of who we are as human
being. We love to love, we exist to love. Those who discount that
fact, or try to minimalize it are ignorant of what makes human beings
human. Writing stories about that amazing connection we weave with others
makes me happy. For those that don’t think this genre merits acclaim,
well, that’s your prerogative, but don’t dismiss its significance either.
What is your favorite and least favorite parts of writing?
I love the unfolding of a story. I know certain significant
parts that I want to end up in a book, but I never know exactly how the
characters are going to reach that destination until I actually write it.
That part is so much fun. As for my least favorite part, that would be
editing. It can be a long and arduous process, but absolutely
necessary. Rewriting makes great writing, not writing.
Where is your favorite place to write?
Hands down,
at my dining room table with my mp3 player in my ear and a cup of coffee next
to me.
Do you write
full-time or part-time? If part-time, what is your other profession?
At the moment, part-time. I am hoping to transition to full-time
writing the near future.
I am a professional student
so to speak.
:-) When I initially
went to college, I became a Registered Respiratory Therapist. I have worked in
this field for 15 years. When my children were born, I decided to take time off
to focus on my family. This provided me with the opportunity to focus on my
other passion, writing. I have always had a burning desire to write, so I went
back to school to take a few creative writing classes to help me learn how to
improve my descriptive writing skills. One class turned into a Bachelors and
Masters degree in English. I use those skills to serve as an adjunct in a city
college teaching developmental writing to academically disadvantaged students
from diverse populations. I know, my life is insane. :-)
Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
I have two sons. One is just shy of his fourth birthday, the
other is about to be eighteen months. There is no structure to my day.
:-) Ray Charles said, “The nighttime is the right time.” That holds
true for my writing as well. When my husband and kids are sleeping and
the house is quiet, that is the best time for me to get my three thousand words
for the day in.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where
an idea takes you?
I hate outlines, they make me feel as if I’m suffocating—too
constraining. Yes, I do have some very general ideas of things I want to
happen as the story is unfolding, but I never sit down and plan exactly where
and when those things will develop. I usually just figure out a
plausible way to weave together the major things I want to occur.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Description. I always want to make certain that I my
audience can really picture the events in the book as well as read them.
I work very hard at trying to paint a picture with my words. Telling the
story is easy, making certain my readers’ senses are engaged in the story, well
that is extremely difficult.
Do you ever get writer’s block?
No. Or maybe I should say I haven’t yet. I usually
suffer from moments where I feel like I’d rather read than write. When I
feel that way, I sit down and read as many books as I can. When the
feeling passes, I go back to my work. As long as I've got music, I've got words to put on a page.
Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
Change of scenery. Sometimes walking away from something is
the best way to get a fresher perspective.
If this book is part of a series, tell us a little about it?
This book is the first in the Trinity series. This series
follows three close friends and co-workers who grew up together in Brooklyn,
left Brooklyn for Los Angeles to get away from their respective emotional
demons, and ten years later have to return to Brooklyn to face their pasts and
fight for the single most significant thing in their lives—love.
Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors?
I read way too much. Every spare second that I’m not with my
family, writing, or doing something I absolutely have to do, I’m reading.
Thank goodness for ebooks, because my husband forbade me from bringing another
hardcopy into my ridiculously large collection of romance novels already.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional
paper/hard back books?
I prefer having a physical book in my hand. However, I
cannot deny the convenience of reading ebooks. I almost exclusively by
them now. It’s not because I no longer have use for the physical books,
it’s just that I have small children who have a predilection for tearing paper
and drawing on things they’re not supposed to. I can’t have paper
anything around unless I want it destroyed. Not to mention, traveling
with an e-reader is so much easier than lugging physical books.
What books are you reading at present?
I’m currently reading, Daylight Again (# Hell or High Water
Series) by SE Jakes. SE Jakes is one of those spicy story tellers I
mentioned earlier. :-)
How are you publishing the book and why?
I chose to self-publish this book for two reasons. The first
was that I was very unaware of the publication process. I researched
submission guidelines for several traditional publishers, but my work never
seemed to quite fit what they were looking for at the time, or they were
looking for particular sub-genres in romance that I wasn't interested in
writing. Second, I wanted to remain in control of the way my story was
told. I wanted to decide what kind of story, and what elements to mix in
it. Self-publishing allows me to tell the story the way I want to tell
it. Maybe as I grow as an author, and become more aware of the
traditional publishing business I might just attempt to get my stories released
by a traditional publisher.
How do you relax?
Reading, writing, and music. Nothing else make me feel
mellower.
What is your favorite kind of music? If you hit play on your music right now what would start playing (no cheating don’t hit “next”)?
90’s R&B, New Jack Swing. I miss Teddy Riley.
Everything that man produced was a hit. I’m still bopping to all of the
artists he produced.
What is your “wish I was writing here” spot?
Italy. Reading all of those Harlequin novels that were set
in Europe always made me ache for Italy. Before I close my eyes to this
life, I must see Italy!
What is your favorite quote?
“The giants upon whose shoulders I stand.” –Isaac Newton.
This quote just wraps up why I am able to do what I love and follow my dreams.
What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Learn your craft. Writing workshops will do wonders for your
natural abilities. Learn to research. Find out how the real-life
application of what you’re putting into your fiction actually looks like.
Understand that revision just makes it better.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t
included?
Yes, when is that new Té Russ book coming out? I need
something good to read in my e-reader catalogue.
Lol! Just One Kiss will be out June 20, 2014!
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
That’s easy, open my book. All of my heart is poured into
every line. Checkout my website for freebies and I often chitty chat
about random things that run across my crazy mind.
Website: http://www.LaQuetteLikes.com
Facebook: http://Facebook.com/LaQuetteTheAuthor
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/LaQuetteLikes
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/laquettetheauthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/LaQuette
About the Author
A native of Brooklyn, New York, LaQuette spends her time catering
to her three distinct personalities: Wife, Mother, and Healthcare Provider.
Writing: her escape from the everyday, has always been a friend and comforter.
She loves writing and devouring romance novels. Although she possesses a
Masters degree in English Lit, she'd forego Shakespeare any day to read
something hot, lusty, and romantic.
Book Description
Genesis Lawrence left her home and
family in Brooklyn, New York ten years ago and never looked back. When you've
spent your entire life protecting yourself from the ones that are supposed to
love you, running to the other side of the country seems like the best idea
ever. Emotionally bankrupt, she begins rebuilding her life after failed
familial connections and a broken marriage leave her too raw to ever believe
happiness exists for her. Work as a Physical Therapist in her rehab clinic is
all she knows and all she wants.
Drew Marrack has spent the last year
of his life trying to end the soul-searing pain of losing his mother by any
means necessary, even if that means ending him—literally. After a tragic
accident and a resulting disability that devastates the tattered remnants of
his world, only one name can give him a brand-new start: Genesis.
Pain, heartache, secrets, and
tragedy from the past bring them together, and then fight to tear them apart.
Is new love strong enough to give them the fresh beginning they both need, or
is this simply the beginning of their end?
Excerpt
from My Beginning by LaQuette
Genesis noticed something different about
him. Usually Drew was very calm and jovial around her. He rarely
made things intense, but tonight there was a sense of power behind his eyes.
When she finally reached him, he said nothing; he simply wrapped his arms
around her waist and pulled her to him. Before Genesis had a chance to
react, he lifted one hand from her waist and secured it in her loose
locks. His mouth fastened onto hers making her moan from somewhere deep
within her.
Her arms lifted of their own accord and
latched around his neck drawing her closer into his web. Drew tore his
mouth away from hers and found the tender spot between her neck and her
shoulder. He must have sensed her legs giving way because the next thing
Genesis knew she was hoisted up with her legs around his waist. Drew was
holding her so tightly she could feel his heart beating as if it were in her
own chest.
Genesis was drifting in the sea of pleasure
Drew was skillfully creating. She was almost completely immersed in the
passion Drew was inciting when she heard a familiar voice in her mind.
No man will ever want you, you’ll never be
able to please any man, you’re pitiful.
She pressed herself deeper into Drew’s
body, hoping his possessive kisses would chase away her tormentor’s
words. She was holding onto Drew tightly, but the incessant sound in her
head—first a small whisper, now a full grown scream—began pulling her attention
away from Drew.
You are wasting his time; you can’t give
him what he needs. Sooner or later, he’s going to toss you to the side
too.
She pulled herself out of Drew’s arms so
quickly that she almost fell backward into the water. Drew reached out
and swiftly steadied her on two feet.
“Drew, I can’t do this,” she said as she
tried to step away from him, but he pulled her back into his embrace.
“Why not Genesis?” he asked as he moved a
hand back into her hair, trapping her against him, forcing her to look up into
burning chocolate eyes. “Don’t stand here and tell me that you don’t want
me, because I can feel your desire for me,” he pulled her head roughly to him,
taking command of her lips, forcing them open and sweeping his smooth tongue
inside her mouth. “Hell,” he breathed against her lips as he took one
final lap before tilting her head to looking into her eyes, “I can taste it.”
He was correct, she couldn’t deny she
wanted him, but as her mother had told her often, she was never too old for her
wants to hurt her, and not having Drew would certainly hurt her.
“Drew, a sexual liaison between the two of
us would not work, it would blow up in our faces, and I don’t want to cause
friction between you and my brothers.”
“You think this is just about sex to me
Genesis?” he asked, a hard edge coloring his voice. “Understand this; I
am a world renowned recording artist. I could have a different chick in
my bed every night of the week if I chose to. If I just wanted a piece of
ass, all I would have to do is send a one-word text and I would have free pussy
waiting for me to fuck at my leisure.”
His harsh tone made her close her eyes
while an unexpected shiver crawled up her back. Why did the thought of
him sleeping with someone else suddenly make Genesis cold?
“I don’t want to just have sex with you; I
want to be with you”
Her unused voice cracked as she said his
name. “Drew,” she swallowed, attempting to lubricate the walls of her dry
mouth and throat, “you don’t know me well enough to want to be with me. I
am the woman that has been closest to you in proximity during a very difficult
part of your life. It’s only natural that you would have a confused
affection for me. It will wear off in a matter of time.”
There it was, her rational brain had
finally decided to put in an appearance. That line sounded almost
believable to her.
“Bullshit,” he said. The lines of
his face became sharper as he spoke. “You want me just as much as I want
you. Why are you fighting me?”
He still held her tightly, her skin
burning where his hands made contact. Why the hell was her body reacting
to this man’s anger this way? She should be enraged, she should be mad as
hell and telling Drew where the hell he could step off. Instead, her skin
was humming with anticipation of his touch with a growing hunger that was
making the walls of her womb clench.
Dammit!
“Drew I am a medical professional who has
been made responsible for your care. She kept her eyes closed as she
spoke, hoping to get her body back under her control instead of his. “It
is unethical for me to allow anything romantic to transpire while you are under
my care.”
Drew shook his head. She knew her
reason was valid, she knew her words gave the impression of respectability
coated in veracity. But even though she was doing her best impression of
reliable, above-board medical professional, Drew’s tight features poked gaping
holes through her perfectly painted picture.
“You’re lying,” he said through clenched
teeth. “This has nothing to do with medical ethics Genesis, tell me the
truth, or I’m going to keep coming after you, and eventually you will give in
to me. This thing between us is too strong for you to ignore it
forever. We've been dancing around this chemistry between us since my
mother’s funeral; I’m tired of playing the ignore-it-and-it-will-go-away
game. Either you come clean with me, or I’m just going to wear you down.”
Drew pulled her close to him and planted
his mouth atop hers once more. She began to lose herself in his kiss;
just as before she crumbled in his arms becoming almost as fluid as the water
surrounding them. When he was satisfied that he had proven his point, he
ripped his mouth away from hers leaving her mouth searching for that lost heat.
“That is not confused affection that is
just plain old lust Genesis. Has it been that long since you've experienced that, or maybe you've never experienced it at all?”
Buy Links
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copy Buy Link:
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Beginning eBook Buy Links:
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