Wednesday Promo- Becca Dale

Hi Paty, Thanks for having me here. You have such a positive site. I’m excited to be a part of it.

When did you start writing? Was your first publishing attempt with erotic romance?
It seems I have been writing most of my life, but I didn’t take it seriously until Phaze published my first short story, “Ice Crystal,” and it received positive reviews. This gave me the courage to move forward. I don’t have nearly as much time to write as I would like, but I love every minute of it. As for the sub genre of erotic romance, I sort of fell into it. The Phaze call for stories requested heat, so that’s what I wrote and found the experience liberating.

Why do you write in the erotic romance genre?
I find that many women enjoy a few details. I love to hear from readers who got a shiver or a thrill out of my work. I have even had women tell me they read the stories with their partners. My writing mostly walks the line between sensual romance and the erotic. Sort of like a nice pico de gallo with a bit of kick. Erotic romance can push the boundaries for some conservative readers, but it can also be a safe and fun way to explore fantasies. Many women might not participate in the wilder activities in real life, but reading about them can be a freeing experience.

Unfortunately, the term can be off putting to some because it sounds like erotica which implies the pornographic. That is a misconception. Erotic romance, my work most assuredly, focuses on romance, but rather than building up to intimacy and leaving it behind closed doors, the writing offers a more detailed picture. Johanna Lindsey, Jude Deveraux and others have done this for years. They just weren’t labeled as erotic.

“Tied up with Green” tells the story of a young woman who feels the need to have control in order to survive the corporate world she lives in, but her boss helps her see that letting go can be really fun. This is probably the wildest contemporary I have written and other than a bit of light hearted bondage, it’s pretty tame.

With my latest release, “Sweet Temptation” from The Wild Rose Press, I wanted to show that a woman doesn’t need to be perfect to feel sexy. She just needs to see value in the mirror or in the eyes of a man who looks without social blinders. Though hot, the storyline and romantic connection between the main characters remain the focus.

Caution: Remember to look for heat levels when experimenting with hot romance. If you haven’t tried this type of reading before, start with a bit of spice like “Sweet Temptation” and move up. The five alarm stuff might be a bit much for some.

What do you think makes a hot hero?
Good question. I actually asked readers and fellow writers this very thing, and the answer surprised me a bit though it probably shouldn’t have. The poll overwhelmingly indentified compassionate and funny as a must, with slightly flawed and intelligent both following behind a ways. The love of my own life keeps me laughing every day so I guess I agree with the poll. However, the comments proved more enlightening. It seems the perfect hero can be anyone or any type as long as he is exactly what the heroine needs. I like this notion. Marc from “Sweet Temptation” completely pushes all of Darcy’s boundaries, but in doing so he helps her realize that she is far more beautiful than she believes. His size, strength and unwavering confidence counterbalance her insecurities, which is exactly what she needs.

Excerpt from “Sweet Temptation”

Marc scooped another bite of cheesecake and held the loaded fork toward her. “Live dangerously.” When she hesitated, he brushed the rounded tines over her lips. “Come on, let the tart creaminess melt in your mouth. Let it slide down your throat. No one’s here but you and me.”

She couldn’t resist. The pretzel crust hit her tongue, crisp and salty, moments before the smooth filling spread across her taste buds in a burst of lime and subtle orange liquor. The tangy citrus, combined with his presence, had an aphrodisiac quality. “Mmm.” Her eyes closed of their own accord. Sensual pleasure swirled in her stomach.

He leaned closer. So close his warm breath tickled over her lips. “Another?”

Her eyes flew open. God! What kind of person practically lost it over a bite of dessert? She shook her head no as he lifted the fork to her lips.

“Why not?”

“I don’t eat sweets.”

“That’s too bad. No one should deny themselves such a simple pleasure.” With a shrug, he slid the fork into his own mouth. A bit of whipped cream caught on his upper lip.

She didn’t think, only reacted to the growing need to touch him. Her thumb stroked over his mouth. His eyes widened as she wiped away the sweetened cream and sucked it off her thumb.

His tongue swiped across his lip.

Darcy wanted to drown in his natural sensuality. Her hands trembled. Heat raced across her skin. How had she become a puddle so fast? She stepped around him and fussed with the washcloth at the sink. “I can’t believe I did that.”

His chuckle sounded with the same warmth she had seen in his eyes. “Are you sure you got it all? Double check.”

Thanks again for letting me hang out with you and your readers, Paty. It’s been fun and I hope that someone who might otherwise shy away from erotic romance will push his or her own limits and give it a try. A little spice can be very nice.

Becca’s Retreat (blog site) http://beccadale.blogspot.com

New from The Wild Rose Press
“Sweet Temptation” http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=767
“Sweet Temptation” Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw9nIGlb1oE

Backlist from Phaze
“Ice Crystal” (Contemporary – self discovery), “Tied up with Green” (Contemporary – self discovery), and Adarkan’s Salvation (Paranormal fantasy) http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Becca+Dale/exact_match=exact